A Super Long Run... NOW FORTIFIED WITH RESULTS!

Run: 17.5 miles in 2:28:02 min. @ 7:15 a.m.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 40°F, 75% Humidity, Wind: From W @ 3 mph; feels like 40°F.
Pace: 8:26 min/mile
Course: An extended, previously untraveled route along the edge of the city, past many beautiful Spring flowers and through the following towns: Penfield, East Rochester, Pittsford and back to River City.

"Your body has no comprehension of what a mile is; it only knows how hard it's working and how long it's working."~Jason Karp

Pre-Run Ruminations: Last weekend at this time, I thought that early this morning (Sunday), I would be running in the annual Lilac 10k, making it the first race I would have registered for (and run in) while competing in my "new" age group, 40-45. As it so happens, I decided yesterday not to register for the race, choosing instead to save the $20 and instead go for a good old-fashioned individual training run instead.

Post Race Reflections: I ran this morning for time rather than mileage (of course flying smack dab into the face of the plan I recently switched to!), and was rewarded with both an excellent run (mileage) at a good pace (time). Just before leaving the house today I was reading the most recent Running Times magazine in the "office," and began an article entitled "Training by Time" by Jason Karp, PH.D. The quote above from the article had an impact on my run as I kept repeating the essence of it to myself throughout.

I was definitely assisted by the cool temperatures, as well as a much brikser wind than articulated on Weather.com, and I came prepared with both 2 8 oz. flasks of H20 and a half sleeve of Clif Bloks (Cran-Raz, natch!).

Much of how I felt psychologically during and after the run, I would credit to my mediation practice (such as it is). I feel much more capable of maintain my form during discomfort, controlling my breathing, and sensing my time and pace. I have a lo-o-o-ng way to go, but this is the most tangible benefit to sitting each morning for 10-20 minutes during the last 80+ days.

Even now, an hour after arriving home and downing a bowl of Special K with fresh bananas (yum!), I'm still flying high...

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!