Today was SO wonderfully warm. At last. Spring is here. My front yard melted yesterday for the first time since November. So after grading and editing and programming all day, it was time to hit the river trail up the canyon.
I ran about 4 miles - my short distance. Once I get going a bit more often, the short distance will be 6 miles - to Canyon Glen and back - and the long distance will be 9 - to Bridal Veil Falls.
Once I ran to Vivian Park - 7 miles one way - and spontaneously decided to run a marathon. I ran along the Heber Creeper train track ties to Deer Creek Reservoir, stuck my head in, and turned around. After 13.5 miles, though, I realized that I had no idea how far I had run (I measured it later) and that two bowls of cereal probably wasn't enough to run a marathon on. So I walked for a ways, then hitched a ride back to my motorcycle.
Years ago, before a super-tight schedule forced me to become a runner (I didn't have time for anything else while juggling 11 titles one spring), I had a friend in LA who ran 8 miles a day. I thought she was nuts.
And when I began running - 4 miles from my apartment to Logan's Main and Center and back - the first half mile was pure torture. I knew I would feel better afterward, though, so I kept it up.
3 weeks later, even the first steps off my porch felt awesome, and I realized that most of the "torture" I initially endured was mental. It was just comfort zones stretching.
I think that's true of just about anything that causes your comfort zone to stretch. By definition, it's uncomfortable.
That very fact was part of what motivated me to keep running in future years - especially when the valley baked at 100+ degrees. I wanted to stretch my comfort zone. I wanted to get used to it, eliminate it if possible. Make it easier to do what I wanted, even when it scared me.
At the end of some of those runs, I remember jumping off a bridge into the river. The snowmelt water was freezing and very uncomfortable, but once I climbed onto shore again, I felt great.
I need to do some of that again soon - some things outside my comfort zone. I want to, and there's no way around it, but it's not easy. So maybe tomorrow I'll go running again to get myself ready.
Isn’t this weather great?!? We went back in time when we went up to Logan…it’s still winter there. That gives me at least one thing that I don’t miss about Logan. 😉
Are those distances from your house? or from the canyon Texaco? I need to start getting on my bike and going down there. Thanks for a good motivational start! 😀
You should run the Provo City Half Marathon with me on April 4th. I’ve been running since October and it’s taken me this long to get up to 13 miles but I finally did it! It feels so good especially looking back at what the “running” was back when I first started. I couldn’t even do a half mile without my lungs bursting into flame. 😉
Di – those are round trip distances from the mouth of the canyon. There are little signs along the trail that show distances.
Elyse – “bursting into flame.” Nice. With my Moab trip and filming for Raging Planet, I probably won’t be quite ready for the half. I have one pesky tiny muscle on the side of my knee (I don’t even know how to stretch it) that doesn’t let me overdo it at first. Let me know how it goes!
Ya know the Forest Service running test (1.5 miles, I think, in under 12 minutes, I think) says that if you can make that, you can run forever (I think – it’s been a few years). Or at least run until the fire catches up with you, then you might as well take a break.
OHH to be able to go outside and run in good weather. That is what makes me really jealous. I find myself not motivated to run in Seattle weather. It is always wet and cold here. I need an outdoor/sports buddy.
Robin, I remember running in a downpour while working in Eugene for a few months (back when I traveled as much as you!) and loving it – but yeah, all the time would get old. And musty. No wonder grunge was born there.