Monday, 50 minutes, 5.33 miles
I had a great run, nice and early in the morning. I felt physically strong with a pep in my step. At the same time I felt grieved at the discovery of racism exhibited and then covered up in the GVRAT Facebook group. I found out about the post and its deletion after the fact. The fact that a virtual community in which I felt so welcome could do something like this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Tuesday, 50 minutes, 5.29 miles
I rushed out the door right away to get to school on time and then life got in the way after school so I did not write about the run either on Instagram or here. Oops. Everything felt fairly normal or at least I assume that because I do not remember anything else standing out besides my attempt to take a picture while running of Mom and me but failed hilariously.
Wednesday, 30 minutes, 4.09 miles
Even though I could have and should have gotten out the door a little sooner to start the run, I did not. However, I still felt fantastic throughout the run. It felt rewarding to get out there and run since it remains the only normal thing in my life right now.
Thursday, 50 minutes, 5.33 miles
Mom and I talked a lot on this run. We both have a lot to process and work through. I still (and hopefully forever will) find myself grateful for our conversations. We talked so much that my mind focused almost entirely on that. Nothing physical cropped up. I didn’t feel overly tired or extraordinarily fresh. Average for the win!
Friday, 50 minutes, 5.74 miles
Even though I moved fairly quickly to get ready to run, I still ended up starting at 6:30. I did not move quicker though because as fall comes the sunrise moves later and later. I felt fairly average through the run and focused just on maintaining a steady effort which somehow resulted in a run with a faster pace. Hmm.
Saturday, long run, 12.22 miles (3.00 miles walking)
After realizing at some point in this week all that I will have on my plate this semester, especially at this opening time period, I knew that the longing to get in the marathon distance before the window for Ottawa ends would do more to drain me than motivate me. I want to get back to running faster and with peppier legs, using these runs as a respite from school stress. Mentally, I took this run one mile at a time and banished the negative thoughts as quickly as they popped up. We got rained on with 3.5 miles remaining but it was a pleasant rain that did not last for an extended time. I really do like running in the rain as long as I do not have to start while it rains.
Sunday, 25 minutes, 3.51 miles ( miles walking)
I had to use my old shoes because the regular ones had not dried completely from yesterday’s rain. Whoops. I should probably get some new shoes. Also, after Saturday’s decision to set aside my marathon distance in three weeks goal to focus on running stronger and a little bit faster, this run felt great.