Thursday, September 17, 2009

And then, there was the Perfect Run

I don't know how it is for all of you, but for me, the running gods are sort of stingy with the perfect run. Most of my runs feel pretty damn hard. Since the marathon (way back in May, my how time flies), all of my long-ish runs have been pretty much impossible. From the beginning, I struggle with motivation to complete the run.

Enter last night. I decided to run 8 miles after Sophie went to bed. Jim and I headed out just as the sun was setting. We rounded the corner between two farms (yes, I live in the middle of nowhere) and were treated with a gorgeous panaramic view of the sun setting against the trees and farm fields. The weather was perfect - nice and cool, no wind.

Aside from the beautiful scenery, I for the first time in what feels like forever felt motivated to run the distance. I never uttered the words, "Let's just cut it short tonight." Although our pace wasn't earth shattering, it wasn't a pokey little walk in the woods either.

Running the last three miles down my dirt road we picked up the pace. By this time, it was full on dark. We're not in headlight mode yet, so we were pretty much using the river and the narrow strip of sky visible above the trees as our guide. Running through the dark, looking up at the star-filled sky, I thought, "Ah yes, THIS is why I run."

18 comments:

Sarah said...

Awesome!! Sounds like a great run! I love running this time of the year the best...by far. Especially in the evenings when people start using their fireplaces and it smells like burning wood. :)

Marlene said...

Having a run like that makes all the hard ones worthwhile!

busyrunningmama said...

Sounds beautiful and I am soooo jealous of your cooler weather!! Here in FL it is 94 degress right now...ugghhh! I don't have many runs that aren't hard still and my longest run is at 7 miles, so I look forward to more of those "perfect" runs!

Running Through Life said...

I find myself running into the darkness lately as well. Summer has passes us by once again. Enjoy the cooler evenings and star filled skies.

The Sean said...

Beautiful to enter a run without expectations... but to simply enjoy the existence of a runner!

X-Country2 said...

Awesome. I LOVE runs like that!

ShutUpandRun said...

Yeah it's a real treat when you feel that way. Good for you!!

Jeri said...

YAY for perfect runs. They totally validate everything, the good runs, the bad runs, and everything in between. It's really why we keep running, isn't it? To catch the next perfect run. :)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

sounds like a perfect run for sure!

Erika said...

Sounds awesome!

MCM Mama

I Run for Fun said...

Aw...definitely the dream run. That's a beautiful time of the day to run.

RunMommyRun said...

Ah, like your post. :)

Definitely a perfect run! I love when you can take those moments during a good run to appreciate what's around you.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an all around wonderful run.

Jess said...

I'm glad the running gods decided to smile upon you and give you a glorious run! Theya re few and far between, but that's so we can appreciate them more!

Ali said...

I love those runs! It sounds wonderful. It is getting dark early here too, the sun was disappearing last night as we were finishing.

joyRuN said...

I'm so glad that perfect run came along for you! It makes all the suckiness worthwhile :)

Felice Devine said...

I love runs like that!

M2Marathon said...

Nice job! Sounds wonderful...I love those kinds of run! Especially in the dark, there is something I just love about running in the dark! And I second on the smell of fireplaces--LOVE THAT!.