First Run Post Marathon

Today was my first run post marathon. It had been been a week since I had run, and I was itching to get out and stretch my legs. It has been more than a year since I've had this long of a break from running. But it felt like I was already out of my rhythm. I had every equipment malfunction possible this morning, from headphones (one ear stopped working during the marathon and I thought it might miraculously fix itself), to broken sunglasses (smushed in the suitcase), and a camelback that just didn't fit right. In addition, I ate a bunch of crap yesterday-french fries for the first time in a really long time and caramel chocolate popcorn, so I was lethargic and my legs felt like logs. But I powered through. If I can run 26.2, I can run 10 with my hands tied behind my back, right?

By the time I got to the entrance of the nature preserve, I had finally hit my stride. Though the blister from hell was reminding me that it was still there. The park had changed significantly during the last month in which I had been running a different route. Fall is showing her beautiful colors, though I almost missed it completely. Trees are already bare and my special spot for when nature calls was no longer obscured from view. In addition, the water fountains are off already. The two most important things while I'm running have been paused for winter...

But I had some investigating to do. I recall, a long time ago, that I had seen a water fountain somewhere else, on the "dark side" of the park. I do not go to this side of the park any longer. Once, actually my very first run here, a 5-miler, I took a wrong turn, got lost and ended up FAR away from where I needed to be. A 5 mile run (my long run of the week at that time!) turned into 8 miles, the longest I'd ever run. I had no water with me, no cell phone, no sense of direction, and terrible IT band syndrome. I refused to stop and walk, and found my way back. Since then, I've been tentative to go in the direction in which I got so terribly lost. Not sure what made me brave enough to head in that direction today, likely plain old stupidity! But I was rewarded with what I found: flushing toilets and a working water fountain!!

My saving grace this winter!!

Miles logged: 10.0