Happy New Year! 2012 has already been productive! Instead of doing the normal thing on New Years Eve I decided to head out and run. I just wanted to do something that wasn't the normal "go out, party, get drunk" New Year tradition. I had thought about a 5k race in South Beloit, Rockton, Rosco??? Actually I can't remember where it was... lol Anyway a friend of mine pushed me a little farther than a 5k. Like 10 miles more....
After spending 8 hours at work on one of the busiest days of the year I got all bundled up for my first 13 mile run. I was extremely nervous. Not only would this be a PR for me if I finished it but it also meant pushing myself past that 10% rule.
My knees seem to give me issues on and off constantly. On some runs they are perfect, I have NO issue. On others, I'm sore by mile 5. I was mostly afraid of pushing so far that I wouldn't be able to run for a month and have to start all over again. I've come so far already with my pace and distance, I would hate to have to start all over again.
The weather was perfect. It was a bit on the chilly side; just chilly enough for it to be slick on the pavement part of the run but just right for everything else. For a portion of it I wasn't even wearing gloves! How that is possible at the end of December in Wisconsin, I haven't a clue.
It was almost soothing to be out there on the trails in the dark. The pace was perfect, I think we sped up for a short time but I was quickly reminded to chill out. Pace, breathing and energy wise I felt great. My knees started to get sore by 9ish miles. They felt like they were heavy and going to lock up. But I pushed through. Toward the end of the run I felt energized, despite my sore knees. I got a second wind.
By the very end I was tired. There is not better way to put it, but physically and mentally tired. Eating dinner that night was slow... I wanted to just sit. Later, rest didn't come easy either. I Iced my knee as I fell asleep and tossed and turned the rest of the night. I remember waking up a few times, wishing I could get into a deep sleep. It was kind of like one of those nights after drinking; one that you can't get into a deep sleep, so you toss and turn the entire night.... Yea, that's what I did.
The next day was HARD! My entire lower body was sore. Nothing seemed to move right. I'm sure I walked with a limp, but I think most of it was just being exhausted.
I think running these distances will require a day off after; just so I can regain energy.
One of my favorite things about the night was hearing/seeing fireworks at midnight. It was interesting not knowing what time it was on one of the biggest nights of the year. A night when it's all about timing and the countdown. Adam and I were running in the dark, in the woods, secluded from everyone else on such a big night. "I wonder how many people are out in the woods running right now?" Probably not many, we might have been the only ones :D I guess I shouldn't say that, I mean really, there are soooooo many people in the world, we couldn't have been the only ones! It felt like it though, and I loved it. I wouldn't want to spend my New Years' Eve anywhere else.
So, here's to 2012... You better be amazing!
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