The Best Kind of Run

Have you ever had one of those runs where you finished and you just felt completely fulfilled?

Maybe it wasn't particularly special. Or maybe it was. Was the sun shining? Or was it cloudy? Did you run fast or slow?

Or did it just feel good?

That was my run on Sunday.

It wasn't anything special. I headed out to do 8 miles, just because I'm trying to bump up my distance, in anticipation for running a half this fall. I got up, drank my coffee, and packed a gel in my shorts.

Got my new Garmin 230 ready. The GPS found a satellite immediately. It was a good omen. Why did I wait so long to get a new watch?

It wasn't a nice day at all, in fact, it was cloudy and drizzly. But the temperature was in the 60s and I wanted to go. I headed to the retention pond, which is about 2 1/2 miles from my house.

My legs felt good. There was no need to shake them out or take it slower on the first mile. They knew what to do. I settled into my 8:45m/m pace immediately.

The streets were quiet as I paced myself along the road. My favorite running tunes playing in my earbuds, I found myself singing along. I hadn't done this for a long time. That felt great.

I crossed the street to the retention pond. The parking lot was crowded, but the path was not. Since it was damp and rainy, there were no cyclists on the path. I moved into the cycling lane and picked up the pace. Smiled at the guy who I see running there all year around. It was all good.

After one lap around the path, I stopped to use the bathroom, took a gel, and walked down to the water for my daily yoga pose. The guy I said hi to earlier, my running compañero, was at the top of the stairs. He wanted to formally meet me. We introduced ourselves and chatted for a minute. Runners--we're all friends, right? I said goodbye to my new friend Carlos and headed towards home. Nice guy.

In the final miles of my run, I marveled at how good my legs felt. It wasn't until I finished mile 7 that I started to feel fatigue. I dug in deep and ran the last mile home.

In that last mile, I had a few thoughts. I thought about how lucky I am to still be running long distances after all these years of running. That yes, I will be ready for my half in December. And that if I wanted to, I could do another one before that. That I do have another marathon in me.

When I stopped in my driveway and pushed pause on my Garmin, I smiled. I'm still a runner. This run was a good one.

I felt fulfilled. And I can't wait to run again.

Have you ever had one of those runs...the one that makes you come back for more? That made you feel fulfilled?

I'm linking up with DebRuns for Wednesday Word. Today's word is fulfilled. And with Debbie, Lora, Rachel, and Susie for Coaches' Corner.