"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T', but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are."
- Unknown
Usually on Fridays I tone down my runs. I try to keep it short and simple, and trot about three miles at a slow pace to wind down from the week and look forward to a long run on the weekend.
I got off work a bit early, and as I was driving over to the trail, thought, "I wonder if I could crank out a half-marathon before I need to head home." It was barely 0530, and I knew my kiddo wouldn't be waking up until close to 0830, so I had a window. With the temperature hanging around 58 and the sun still not up, how could I not try?
Luckily, I've started carrying my trail-running gear, and keep two to three 2.5-gallon jugs of water in the trunk of my car at all times. Knowing I had everything I may need, once on the trail, I set my GPS and was off.
My pace hovered around 12.03 min/mile the entire time, which felt great. I feel, now, that I could have run faster, but with it being dark, I hung back. I had already eaten it twice when I tried to gun it and didn't want to take any chances.
It was nice to be out in the cool night air, just the sound of my feet and the wind in the trees. I didn't come across many critters until sun-up and didn't even run into another person until close to 0715.
I did consider stopping twice, not because I was tired, but my mind kept telling me "Your SUPPOSED to be running a short day!!". Maybe I should start rethinking what I consider a "short" run.
