Back to Life, Back to Reality

Goal:5 Miles Hills
Food Previous Day: Spicy tomato juice, h20 was not normal intake, dinner guacamole, chips/salsa & non-fat chai latte
Sleep: 4 Hours
Pre-Run Food: Banana and OJ
Weather: Sunny, a slight breeze and humid
Pavement Time:6:15 am
Run Duration: 59:23
Average Pace: 10:59 min/mile
Actual Distance Completed: 5.4 miles no hills

Doug and I ran at Dodge Park in Sterling Heights, MI. I ran here in the fall/winter, but did not feel comfortable 'crossing the bridge' into the wooded area. Boy was I missing out.

As we crossed the bridge and entered the trail, it was breathtaking. Early am, the trees are green and full, yet they were sending in rays of sunshine. It was so quiet and peaceful in there. There was no indication that we were near 'the motor city'... The place I really disliked this past winter.

There was so much life in there... Squirrels are everywhere and not 'scared'... They have black squirrels, which I have only seen in DC.

As we started down one of the paths, there was quite the ruckus on our left. We look over and there are 3 'toddler' raccoons, scurrying up the trees. They were so curious, afraid and brave all at the same time.

For those of you that have followed me in the past, I had no 'issues' today. Before we left the hotel, I ran about 4/10 of a mile on the treadmill... It worked.

My plan called for 5 miles of hills today. However, there are no hills in this area. Dougs plan called for 45-55 minutes of running (he is doing chi running). Google it and research it. Very interesting.

Since there were no hills, I had decided to 'just run' and see what I could get in by running with doug for the duration.

This is my first full week of getting ALL RUNS IN DURING THE AM! It is most definitely the way to go. So much cooler, the world is coming to life and you see it before it becomes a rat race... Such a great way to start the day.

It's these types of runs that keep me laced up and running.

Our run went through timber, a small field and by a stream.

I was sad that our run was coming to an end, but was so thankful that God has given me a strong mind to become a runner and enjoy these types of experiences.

Doug and I crossed the bridge back into the park area and the temperature difference was noticeable and the fact that we were back to life, back to reality. In a little over an hour we would have eaten breakfast, showered, in our business clothes and onsite with clients.

We finished up with 5.4 miles...