Today I got reacquainted with a friend from the not too distant past….Sligo Creek Trail. I spent many MANY miles running on Sligo while training for my marathon, but then after I got pregnant I stopped running outside (mainly b/c of my need to be close to a bathroom) so I neglected my relationship with my faithful trail.
But now that I am once again running towards a goal (currently a 1/2 marathon in March) I decided I needed to hit the trail once again for my weekend long runs. Today I had 8 miles on the schedule. That is the farthest I have gone so far since I got pregnant, and since I was going to be outside there would be no way to stop short. Going into the run I was nervous…I knew I could probably finish, but I wanted it to feel good too. Starting out was rough, the first mile always is. But then I fell into a nice rhythm and the miles started flying past. Next thing I knew I was at my turn-around point. The way back was a little tougher, but there were more people around, and I know that influenced my pace so I sped up a bit. Still, I finished 8.3 miles in 1 hour and 18 minutes. Would have been faster but I stopped for a few lights, and to play with a 4 month old puppy that I saw. I iced my one knee when I got back, and my hips are a little bit sore, but other than that I’m feeling great.
So that was today’s run. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, maybe more Sligo, maybe my other favorite trail, Carderock, maybe a treadmill run, or maybe a rest day. We’ll see how I feel in the morning!
That sounds really nice- you know of some great trails around here, it sounds like. I’m not familiar with Sligo or Carderock, but I think I’ll have to check them out to mix up the Mount Vernon Trail.