Wow. Probably shouldnt have done it, although I seem OK more or less today. Ran a long run for me. Maybe the longest Ive run. 16 miles. Ran my typical speed - slow. I seem to be able to run long distances OK, have good endurance, just dont have speed.
Anyway I ran from work to the end of City Creek road and even up the trail at end of road. My boss was gone so it was time to take a longer "lunch time". The weather for running was great - nice temperature and overcast - I do much better when good temps and not direct sun. I was determined to make it to the end of the road, as I had never made it that far on a run.
The leaves on most the trees were out and spring flowers coming out, birds singing in places and always the nice sound of the water. The last part at the end parking lot had snow. An interesting thing happened - I saw a raccoon. I slowed my running down and was right next to him. He looked at me in surprize, I said "its OK, how ya doing", he then seemed to accept me and continued looking under piles of leaves for some kind of food. I started running again and he picked up his pace scampering alongside me - weird. I asked him if he wanted to be my running partner, he then stood up on his hind legs and made that raccoon chattering noise - I guess my running speed didnt impress him much. At first I thought I better be careful as maybe he was rabid, but I think it was just a case of a critter in nature accepting me. Not sure what his name was - maybe Ricky or Rocky. Anyway that was cool.
At another location on the road, it was strange, there were dozens and dozens of sowbugs (pill bugs) crossing the road. Not sure why - maybe its their annual historic migration to the north side of the road. Hey - why does the sowbug cross the road? (like the chicken question). I definately outpaced those little bugs with my amazing speed.
I ran almost the entire way except for the raccoon, getting some sips of water, a minute at the end of the road and some stoplights near work. Faster downhill but my legs and knees were heavier so not that fast. Some of City Creek has a nice grade so I think a mile there is equivalent to a longer distance. Anyway a good accomplishment for me, felt good and had runners high for at least doing it. | 