On the other side of the bridge, I went towards Rebsamen Park. The first few miles were clunky--my calves and shins tightened up almost immediately and I clomped along. After a bathroom stop at Murray Park, they loosened. I turned around at about the five mile point and retraced my path back.
I decided on no music this morning. I wanted to be more in tune with my surroundings and listen. I tried to pick out bird calls when I could--a pair of mourning doves, a cardinal, a few green herons, a host of others, I'm sure. I heard snatches of conversation from other runners and cyclists, my feet hitting the ground, my breathing, the wind. Overall my run today was much better than I expected, and I wonder if I'm more centered with my mind more focused on the here and now.
A little over 8 miles in, I stopped back at the Murray Park water fountain to refill my bottles. A woman was coaxing her dog to drink a bit, and we talked for a few minutes. I used to fixate much more on not stopping, not giving myself a break, but I'm more relaxed now and I'm glad. Her dog was a rescue, a small, sweet golden retriever mix named Mistletoe because she was adopted at Christmastime. She told me about Mistletoe and I told her about Max and Xena and then I moved on. I like those interactions. It's part of that community feeling that I get down on the trails.
I get out there and do my miles every week, but that's about the only thing I'm doing that I need to be doing. I need to work on my eating and drinking habits, the way I spend my time, my house...there are so many areas I need to improve in. To list every single thing is overwhelming, so today I decided that I will pick one thing every day. During my morning run I will decide on what it is. I will commit to myself to do this one thing for this one day. Then tomorrow I can pick something else. I have to work on keeping promises to myself without setting myself up to fail.
Today's commitment is to drink more water. I have a soda addiction--right up to the time that I switch to wine or beer in the evening. I know this is bad for me, but I have failed at multiple attempts to give it up or cut back. As I was fixing my breakfast (at 10:30 it wasn't exactly breakfast, but sliced tomatoes from the garden with a bit of Greek Seasoning, salt, and olive oil make a great snack) when I got back home, I craved a Dr. Pepper. At first I tried not to have one, but then I remembered my track record at trying to give up soda. I don't need to give it up completely and I don't need to fight myself. So after my morning sodas, I will make a big cup of ice water. My hope is that these things will make me feel better and happier and work themselves into my every day routine.
I made the 15 mile point with about a mile left to get back to my car. I had entertained some thoughts of going all beastmode and running the extra mile, but then I decided to walk and just enjoy it. I craned my neck to watch the swallows feeding their babies. I ambled up the bridge and then watched a boat go through the lock. I read the sign explaining how it worked--I had no idea the lock was filled or drained using gravity, but it's true. No pumps are used--a valve is opened and the water fills or drains as needed. As the bridge headed down hill back to Cook's Landing, I stopped to watch the swallows from a different angle, noticing their brownish color and how much smaller they are than I would have thought.
Between my early start and the nice breeze off the river, today was not such a hot run and felt really good. This ends a 37 mile week. Next week is a step back week that I imagine my body needs before ramping up to the 40's.
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