10 miler - Toots’ version

10 miles seemed a little scary yesterday so I put if off until today.  Actually, I worked a full day yesterday and I just could not find the time to fit it in so I began to panic a little not wanting to have to miss a run.  Then I remembered, “Wait, there’s always Sunday!” and instead did a little yoga/pilates workout as my “cross training”.  It all worked out better than I expected.  I still had to work a half day today, but then I came home, mapped my route, and took off.  The roads were mine once again.  I didn’t come across a single soul other than those in the occasional car driving by.  Winter’s started (again), the temperature hovered in the low 40’s, and it rained non-stop for the first 5 miles then it simmered down to just a drizzle.  I kept an easy, steady pace (about 10 minute miles) and it was good.  No music, no people, no traffic, no song stuck in my head, - just the sound of the rain falling to keep me company.

Training this time around is definitely different, it doesn’t seem quite as painful and my “long runs” haven’t been the nightmare I’ve envisioned them to be.  Unlike Lumpy, I don’t imagine myself running though the swampy forests of Dagobah; but I do tend to “zone out” a bit.  I find it somewhat meditative.  I try to clear my mind - not think about anything - it’s really hard to do.  Random thoughts are constantly sneeking in like, “Did I lock my file cabinet at work?”, “That car needs a new bumper”, ”Earl Grey, Green, or Chamomile?”, “We’re expecting a freeze tonight - all this water can’t be good”, “Hillary or Barack?”, “What socks am I wearing?”, ….eventually I get ”there” - in that zone and it’s somewhat blissful not to think about anything.  Then, before I know it, I’m done.