Every year my company gives it’s employees one “Employee Appreciation Day.” This year I decided to take the day off on my birthday. My co-workers asked what I was going to do to “appreciate” my day…my response was doing what I love most. Spending time with my daughter and RUNNING! Co-incidentally it would allow me to complete my last long run (20 miles) without having to miss work and giving me a rest day before Sunday’s 12K run.
My birthday morning started out great. I met up with T. and S. for our last run along one of our favorite paved trails. Initially we were supposed to run along the Centennial Trail, but since parts of the trail were still flooded, and we were having windy weather, we decided the night before to change our route.
I was suprised when 2 of our other running gals showed up to run 5 miles and get us going for our long run.
As we started our run, A. brought up how she was relieved we had changed our route considering there was a murder the day before on the other trail…Wait..what??!! Apparently a woman was walking her dog Thursday morning when a man jumped out of the bushes and stabbed her. They have yet to find her killer.
Well after hearing that news, I was a bit paranoid, but extremely grateful not to be running alone. The rest of the run went well-we made a pit stop about Mile 15, refilled our water bottles and kept up with the necessary nutrition. We finished 20 miles in about 3:16. And I felt great-confident that I could have finished the last 6 miles without too much difficulty.
After getting back to our cars, T. brought out some cookies to celebrate my birthday! And they were delicious!
When I got home I was concerned about recovering in time for Sunday’s 12K Run. I have read about Ice Baths and it’s benefits, but have always been too chicken to try it….But I did it! I lasted about 10 minutes, with about 8 minutes of it screaming my head off! Well, in between sips of my declious, warm coffee of course.
Anyway, my legs felt great after that run, and I looked forward to celebrating that evening with a recovery drink of Margaritas! (I had to replenish my salt, right?!)
Leave a comment