At mile 12 I hit the wall knowing I still had four miles to finish my training run. Instead of walking like I have in previous races, I kept running and running until my Garmin watch reached 16 miles, and I didn’t walk at all.
Going into this blog, 99% of my runs the last two minutes have seemed easy. However, today, on Halloween, my run was very unusual. While running in the dark before the sun was out I saw a person walking in a bunny costume and immediately after I saw them, Harry Potter rode by me on a bike. A few minutes later I saw a flock of turkeys on a put-put golf course. Shortly after, I hit my wall. It’s safe to say my morning run was very spooky.
Let’s flashback to the other week. Weather in the 60s, cloudless skies, and breeze less than 10 mph. My original run was going to be 5 miles, but with the weather nearly perfect, I just kept running and running. I ended up going 7.5 miles in all and unlocked a new route I hadn’t ventured before. I did it all musicless.
Running musicless has been new for me. Before this summer, besides racing, I always ran with music. This all dates back to decades when I first started running. I loved running with my green iPod Nano (kids look it up) and my iPhone. Music kept me moving fast and in some studies it’s proven that it does. It would get amped before races too. I loved running with music.
When I was complimented for running shirtless this summer I decided to trade my music for the sounds of trees blowing in the wind, cars driving by, and people having fun at touristy spots nearby. Without music drumming my ears, I’ve also been able to smell the countless restaurants I’m surrounded by.
The change has been one of the best of life. After my health scare this spring, I’m truly enjoying running more. I’ve intentionally slowed down my runs, taken off my airpods, and just ran. Sometimes I go farther than I’m supposed to. Other times, I stick to the plan.
Now, I’m running to the beat of my own drum. Its reminded me of the “good old days.” The days in high school of the boys going for a shirtless run, talking to each other, competing with each other to see who can out sprint each other at the end of the run. That’s what these runs have felt like. I’m so glad I get to feel those memories again, and something I didn’t know how I badly missed.
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I'm proud this is my 100th blog. Here's to many blogs and memories! I have a great life! 🎉
