Happy good long run, unexpectedly

Gah, I have SO meant to write more often than this, this time around. But other things have inserted themselves like my JOB and CLEANING and CHILDREN, and although I clearly have spent hours online farting around I have not gotten my thoughts together in three weeks unless it's to write a sermon. This is most certainly true.

But OH I had such a good run this morning and I am blissed out and sort of basking in its glow. This is the kind of thing that makes non-running types look at my like I have a couple heads (kind of like when I was GIANTLY pregnant and wearing a clerical collar walking down the street of downtown Atlanta. Good times.).

I was not looking forward to this run. In other news, my running partner has injured herself to the degree that she cannot run, and so I will be running the marathon by my ownself, as well as the long runs. That's mostly okay...I don't HATE doing long runs by myself, but I have gotten so used to having someone to talk to! But last night I looked at the weather and it occurred to me that it was perhaps not great to be running in 23 degree weather with a wind chill of 15.

I freaked out. I made preparations so that I could bail at 7 miles if I needed to, without the additional 11. But it was all fine. I wore two layers on top and on bottom, a hat, and gloves.

And it was SO, SO beautiful. It was sunny and I ran up the hill first, then turned around to get back to the trail and my car. I fueled up and hit the trail, and then the good part started. Fun podcasts, good songs, lots of nature (deer, herons, frozen ponds and the stream), just happy being with myself, running along at my pace. I love my running partner, but this run I remembered WHY I love long runs!

So after a Waffle House stop with 3 year old boy, I am happily home and intend to bask as long as I can in this happy, happy, floaty long run buzz.