Sundays are usually my “long run day” with my husband and client/friends who would like to join the run. After fighting a calf/knee problem the past year as well as adrenal health problems the last two years, I am finally able to build up my endurance and running muscles since December 2014. I really have missed running long just for the enjoyment…even if I don’t have a marathon in my near future. I just love endurance training for my mind, body and spirit.
Today I built up my run up to 16 miles finally…I don’t care of the pace or how long it took me to run the sixteen miles but I am happy to be able to run the distance. Why do I do long bike rides and long run workouts if endurance exercise isn’t beneficial for the best adrenal health or fat loss? I love the “blue sky” time as I like to get into the zone and check-out for a few hours…also I love the adventure in the outdoors.
When I do a long run in Seattle, I love to begin from Madison Park area as we can go various directions and explore the Seattle streets. Even though we live in Bellevue, WA the short drive across Lake Washington is worth it for our Sunday runs. Today we ran to Leschi along the lake then up a long hill to Madrona neighborhood then over to the beautiful Arboretum to Lake Union then across University Bridge along the lake then up a long hill to 40th street then back to UW area then back to Madison Park via the calming Interlocken route then back through the Arboretum. My goal was to not go on the same road twice as well as make sure the course was different the last weekend. By the way, my pre race fuel was a cup of “bullet proof coffee” and water. During the run I had nothing but some water towards the end that was at the park.
The spring colors and fresh air on a sunny Sunday morning are so rewardable. Not only do you get to discover the city you live in but you also get to solve the worlds problems as you run or just run with a quiet mind.
Do you run the same route every week? Do you change your pace? Do you add in gradual hills? Have you run with a friend and changed who was in charge of the route? Explore your running hood and take some various roads…also try to do this for your long bike rides! Variety!!
