I didn't get my long run in on Friday (I wanted to watch the opening ceremonies), so the next best thing was today...which means I'll do the long swim tomorrow.
Before I start, I'll just say that I had my usual response to what I guess I'll call "triumph" during the Olympic opening ceremonies last night...I teared up on several occasions. The ceremonies were incredible and it was quite a motivator to see all of the athletes come in. I wanted to go out for a run afterward...that would have been a little after midnight. Instead, I went to bed, totally pumped and didn't actually fall asleep until about 1:30am. I'm actually watching the swimming finals while I write this. Yep, a few more "triumph" tears. Feels good though.
After a brief visit down to the parents' in Steilacoom to grab my sisters carry on and say goodbye to everybody, I zoomed home to start my long run in time to get it done and get back to watch the swimming finals.
My distance or "long" run as I call it is up to 90 minutes, which is as the longest I will go for now. Once again, I ran north along the Burke Gilman trail and, for you Seattlites out there, got pretty close to Bothell on this trip. Ninety minutes is about the time it will take me to run an half marathon (which I plan to do in November) and enough to improve my fitness level over time...in a way that the interval workouts wouldn't. The "long" run felt pretty good this time, although the last ten minutes I could really feel it in my knees and feet that I added the extra ten minutes. Along the way, I made a couple of interesting observations. I saw three athletes, two runners and a biker with only one arm. Don't get me wrong, I think its awesome that they are out training, great role models, it was just odd to see three of them. Some people find four-leaf clovers, some win the lottery. I saw three one-armed high level athletes in one day...I'll take this as a good omen.
One of the other things the long run is good for is learning you limits, or more...what your limits arent. You discover what you can push through, both physically and mentally in order to reach your goal. Little pains here, fatique and even mental baggage all CAN be overcome.
You'll also notice the bug counter is back. I swallowed two, got one in my nose and a large something in my ear for about five steps.
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