View Workout (Julia Ernst)

Return to Log

Wonderful long run!

January 21, 2015 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
I've never been in such a "flow" like state on a training run before as on this run. I ran from my grandma's apartment on the upper E side down around the main park drive to the west side, down 9th and 10th st into Chelsea, on the High Line and into Greenwich Village, somewhere I'd never been before and really liked! It was interesting getting to observe how the character of the neighborhoods changed as I ran south. I was hoping to reach ground 0 but i underestimated how far i was from it and didn't want to worry my mom/gma by running in the dark for so long. So, I turned around canal st and ran all the way back up 5th to my gmas appt. Then, a long, nice stretch.

I listened to Being Mortal by Atul Gawande during the run and got incredibly immersed in the story while enjoying the sensory experience of running in such a lively place. I found it somewhat ironic that I was listening to heartening yet difficult stories about aging and frailty while I felt strong and quick. As corny as it may sound, listening to the stories made me appreciate that I get to run and that I am lucky enough to be in good health. I felt like I may as well take up the chance I have and enjoy my run to the fullest. I felt some mild discomfort in my right foot from a developing blister about halfway into the run but other than that felt great. Also, I was quite surprised to see my pace afterwards but I double-checked by mapping my route online and the milage is right. As a note, I did have to stop 8 or 9 times briefly for lights. I'm a little bummed I didn't run just 1.1 miles more to finish the half marathon but I guess my time wouldn't count anyways because of the stops anyway.

But times aside, the thing I loved best about my run was that it was a workout I didn't force or guilt myself into. I've been feeling unmotivated about doing workouts of late and have gone with Anthony's wise advice that I should listen to my body, not my mind, when deciding whether to have a hard day. But, I haven't felt up for a workout all this last week and was starting to worry that I'd never feel like doing one. But, as Anthony predicted, I was feeling spiffy and full of energy today and got a good workout in without having to force myself to do so, which is heartening and just re-inspires my love of long distance running and my faith in myself to truly enjoy runs, even in the dead of winter.