10 MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7:57 pace Such an amazing run this morning! As usual, I did not feel at all motivated to get out the door and start running due to this agonizing physical and mental slump I've been in. Aaron encouraged me to get out and gave me his iPod to listen to. I decided to run around Standley lake because then if I started feeling like I wanted to stop half way though, I would have no shortcuts home (other than swimming across a recently thawed mile wide lake) and would be forced to finish the route and get at least 8 miles. After the first two slow miles (8:17 and 8:35) something amazing happened. The clouds literally parted, the sun came out, and it felt as if a dark heavy cloud cleared from my brain as well. I just started smiling and picking up the pace! Every drum beat of the music seemed to beat out each self-deprecating thought. As I started to see the sun through the clouds I looked up and ran towards it. It took me into this mental nirvana where I felt as if I could run forever. Miles passed and felt effortless. After I got around the lake I did not want to stop running so I added on another couple of miles around my neighborhood. I never started to feel tired at all until the final hill close to home when I was feeling SO grateful for the 10 miles of euphoria. My injuries were hardly noticeable at all and my form was fluid. This run would not have been so unique or appreciated 4 months ago but considering the past few months and especially the past few weeks of injury and mental drag, it was a HUGE breakthrough. WAHOO!!!!!!!! | 