Comfortable not fast

I ran alone in the rain tonight. Today was a scheduled day off and it was raining so I wasn't surprised to arrive at the park and find no one there. (Although I was late so it's possible someone was there and I missed them.) I decided to run anyway. Afterall I was there, dressed to run and I think I needed to do this. I'm pretty sure part of my crummy outing on Friday was due to being alone. I think I gave up mentally (feeling sorry for myself) and that exacerbated the physical stuff. So I needed to do this.

I opted for the paved SRT rather than the River Trail. I've run the River Trail alone before but in the teeming rain it just looked too desolate. I headed out of the 31.5 for 2 miles out and 2 miles back. It was an awesome run.

I will never be a fast runner. I don't really aspire to be one. I'm not sure if running will ever be effortless for me but I strive to be comfortable. I want to feel the ground passing beneath my feet and just run. Tonight I came as close to that as I ever have. I checked in with my body a few times and noticed I was running tall. I had to relax my shoulders a few times but not a lot. My feet, ankles, knees and back were all fine. I was just running. I wish I had the right words that didn't sound so dorky. I was comfortable is the best I can do.

I didn't feel like stopping even once. I didn't strain to see the end or wish it was coming sooner. I just ran. At a half mile left I picked up the pace and held it - and still felt good - and with 1/4 left I picked it up again to the end. I was winded but not gasping. It felt good.

I know it was only 4 miles but it was a really good 4 miles! I needed it.