Glorious

It was a great day for running. About 34 when I started and 48 when I finished 14 miles later. This is the longest run I've done in a while and I did a lot better than expected. A 2:21:03 time with a 10:05 pace. For my long runs I combine shorter runs and do them out and back and sometimes tack on a couple of miles around the neighborhood. This time after doing a 2 mile run, I did my run around Sunview Lake and through Dickcissel Field that I ran last time. It combines a beautiful 2 mile jog around the lake with some good hills and the dirt road field setting of Dickcissel Field. That's about 6 miles out and then reverse the course to give me 12 added to the 2 at the start. My left hamstring bothered my slightly a couple of times so I better be careful not to add too much mileage. I've already paid for the marathon - hate to have to miss it! It a great day for the lake birds and I saw Canada Geese, Great Egrets and plenty of Ring-billed Gulls along with Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Nuthatches and Song Sparrows. I've seen Bald Eagles at Sunview Lake gliding high above the lake catching the thermals and letting the winds carry them along. Long distance running can become monotonous if you let it, but the combination of terrain and wildlife on this run, plus the different running challanges it presents keep it new and fresh every time. A fluffy white dog came out to yap at me, more in support than anything else. I gave him the thumbs up and moved on.

toadshade