9.3 Miles!

Good afternoon!

I just finished an eventful morning of errands that I kicked off with a 9.3 mile run! My plan was to set off for a loop I knew but apparently I forgot the distance. I did not anticipate that distance at all. So...sweet! I was able to run along the ocean through the roads that bisect Odiorne State Park and feel the mist of the water. I have been talking about getting down to the ocean to fly a kite with B-May for some time now but weather has always cancelled our plans. Today though, I flew down the roads that racked me with pain the first time B-May and I attempted (and completed) a half-marathon distance. I should add that I walked for three VERY brief stretches. Since I started running on my forefoot and finding some real pleasure in running, I have had difficulty running when it really hurts or when I'm really panting for air. So, in three instances on my run today, the run was simply not fun. As soon as I realized this, I took it easy for 20 paces or so and then the spirit was with me again and off I went! As an added bonus, the wind was blowing the remaining leaves off the trees I ran by, enabling me to keep occupied with the task of catching one as it fell to the ground without stopping my run. Honestly, fun!

I have noticed another interesting pattern about these long runs: I skip (though not entirely) my breakfast. I never skip breakfast! I can't function without breakfast! Yet when I run these longer distances, I find two slices of toast, one with butter the other with peanut butter to be sufficient. It's kind of bothering me how the long run can throw me off so much.

So like I mentioned, I ran and did some errands and just finished polishing off a bowl of pasta with a sprinkling of butternut squash and onions. Leftovers, of course. Now I should be off retrieving a boiling pot to make some hot cocoa for this cloudy day!