Walkin' on Sunshine

I had the long run, and maybe a week of running, that I had known I needed but didn't focus on trying to get. First off my speed work went really well and I hit my marks which is always good. There are shorter than my marathon training ones were (for obvious reasons) and so feel manageable. The time commitment to them is also something that is manageable with life. It's one of the reasons, but not the only reason, why I didn't feel ready for a marathon this fall. You have to have a type of focus to get through the workouts that I've had for a while (and really always tend to have) but I wasn't sure if I could find it in me to push as much as I needed to. SO, taking a step back while working hard is good for me. Not a break, but still... a break. And the second thing I needed was my long run today. I had been going to a trail that was modestly uphill, but still up hill, for the first 2.75 miles and then hits some BIG hills. I went there three times because I wanted to try and crush hills especially due to my last few races that I was disappointed in. So, while I brought all of those runs on myself, between the hills and the summer heat, I was not enjoying those runs. Today I went back to the tried-and-true Rutland rail trail and it was grand. Granted there were WAY TO MANY bugs but some random person gave me bug spray which definitely helped. But the run was just good. I kept a solid pace, I didn't have any issues and I felt like I could keep going. It was just a nice solid performance and, especially based on the last run I did there (UGHUGHUGH) it was just a nice thing to have today. As always days and weeks like this bring me back to why I run and I look forward to the next week. It also makes me think what I can conquer next. But sometimes you just need to hold steady. I also have to remember that next week could turn out difficult. Running can sure be fickle.