Running for joy #joymiles

Last week, I ran my first run longer than a half marathon since I ran Marine Corps Marathon last year. It was only 15 miles, but I ran with friends who were faster than I am and we ran a super hilly run. The combination meant that I was pretty wiped out at the end. In fact, for the first time in a really long time, I took an epsom salt bath because I needed it. My hips ached and my legs were wiped out. While the bath did help, I was pretty sure I was going to wake up super sore the next day.

I didn’t. In fact, I woke up feeling great and it was a grey and misty day and I HAD to run. I could not resist, even though I knew I was going to be running at Mad Fox later in the day. I decided to go out for a quick 3 miles and ended up running 5. Then we ran 3.2 miles that night to celebrate one year of Run Club.

So, for sure, I was going to take Thursday off. Umm, no. I ended up running 6.5 miles because I wanted to. It felt awesome and I ran them at a 10:29 minute/mile pace. In the end, I ran 29.8 miles in 3 days. (Yes, I’m totally kicking myself for missing that .2)

Sunday, I took Shoo to a youth running event. We ended up running 2 miles of hills and sprints, interspersed with running slowly and walking. We both had an amazing time and I’m so glad that I’m a runner and could be out there doing it with him (only a handful of parents actually ran.)

These are joy miles. These are the reason I run.

I will run at least one more long run before Marine Corps, but every other run I do is going to be as far and as fast (or not) as I want it to be. Because at the base of it all, running isn’t about constantly getting faster or going farther or ending up with more bling. Running is about the joy it brings.