Winding down

Just a few more days in 2010. What a year it's been. I'm planning on recapping the year because, as I went through some blog entries from last January, it is amazing how far I've come. But for these last few days, I'm just going about my weekly routine as much as I can and getting in my runs in. I'm glad there's the NYC 1/2 to look forward to, now that I met my 1000 miles goal and it's that lazy week between Christmas and New Year's, I could see slacking off. It wouldn't be the worst thing to take some time off but why mess with something that's working. It will be easier to continue doing what I'm doing as the new year starts instead of feeling like I have to start over or start again.

It was a great day at work -- no one was there! It's a super slow week, we're all on flex time so my work days were yesterday and today, then I get Wed and Thurs off. I like that! Because I knew I'd be alone at work I thought I'd try to get in a lunch-time run. I got changed and it was cold in my building, I couldn't imagine what outside would feel like. As I walked out of the building to my car I thought "Maybe this isn't such a good idea." But since I was already out I thought I should give it a shot.

I'm telling you, I'm telling you, I know within 12 steps how it's going to go. Fortunately, I knew right away it would be an okay run. I felt strong and ready to roll. The wind was wicked, the cold was fierce, there were puddles of slush, patches of ice, and snowbanks to hop over and into when plowtrucks went by. As crazy as it was, it felt great being out there. I felt so alive. So connected with myself that I had carved out that time and, regardless of the conditions, I knew I had the strength to make it work.

I worked it. 6.31 miles. Overall pace was 10:09/mile which seems to be my number lately. I'm not upset with it at all, it was rough-going out there! I did it! That was the important thing! When doing nothing and sitting at my desk wrapped in a blanket (as I also do when no one's in the office) seemed much more likely than going outside and running for an hour -- I win! I put myself first because I knew how satisfied I'd be when I was done.

I think I'll probably get one more run in 2010. If I run tomorrow it will be 5 days in a row which I don't really like to do but I might do it anyway and take the next few days off. If I do run, I want it to be a good one. But aren't they all good? Any time you do something for yourself and your health, any run is good.