Weekend Long Run.. Running for the love of it.

So Saturday was a bit warmer – in the 40’s – so I headed out on my “long run.”  I tried to keep my speed down to make sure I could actually do the 5 miles I had planned, but I was a bit nervous as this was my longest run since I did the 13 miles that lead to my shin splints.  I had a great run. I went by our local “Occupy” folks – said hi to them (they seemed grumpy today, I had to run around one that stepped out – seemingly to block me) and crossed some more bridges.

Confluence Park - where the Chenengo meets the Susquehanna River

I don’t know why I enjoy running across the bridges, but I do.  We are lucky enough to have two decent sized rivers here – the Chenengo River and the Susquehanna River.  If I plan my run correctly – I can go over 4 bridges without a problem. I love watching the water go by – it’s a very soothing site for me, and I love the sound as well.

The run went by wonderfully.  It has been great since I got back from D.C.. While I am still a little bummed that I missed being able to do the marathon – Running now is something I do – simply because I want to.  Do I plan on doing other runs? ABSOLUTELY!  I am thinking of doing the NYC Half, The Buffalo Marathon, and of course the Marine Corps Marathon. But for right now – I am just running because I like running.  There is no stress or worry about being ready for something.  I had let “Being Ready for the Marathon” – be my primary reason for running.  I do not want to let that happen again. I think our races, whether they be marathons, half marathons or 5ks, need to be something we do because we enjoy running.  I think that when we make them the reason we run – even if it is just for a short time – we can easily lose sight of why we run.

I was pretty happy with my times –
Mile 1: 8:42
Mile 2: 9:12
Mile 3: 8:42
Mile 4: 8:37
Mile 5: 9:01
Overall speed: 6.8 mph

The two miles that were over 9 minutes – I hit the traffic lights wrong and had to wait. (Sometimes those breaks are quite nice.)  My legs felt good – although they were quite tired by the end, and were sore on Sunday (rest day!).  I tried to keep in mind the way my form was with the 100-up exercises as well.  I don’t know how succesful I was – but it seemed too.

100 Up Exercise Progress:

I have continued to do the “100-up” exercises, and remain on the “Minor.”  I added the hands into the process (as shown in Christopher McDougall’s Video.)  I did 75 on Saturday and on Sunday – as that was how far I could go and still feel confident that my form was “perfect.”  I will continue to do these on non-running days as well, just as I do my calf-lifts.

About Robinson

I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.