My kinda running day! Warm, sticky, and humid, but with lots of cloud cover and a chance of rain. Perfect! Where to go? Wanted to do more than 6 miles.Had this GREAT idea......Peace Valley Park around Lake Galena is 6 miles. On my way up to the park I pass another small park where I cross over a lovely little covered bridge. I parked at the Covered Bridge, giving me the chance to run over the covered bridge for a simple but novel experience. Entering the heavy timbered structure felt hotter even though it was dark and shaded. I could hear the brook running underneath, but had no view at all of the lovely little stream with its twists and turns, and rocks. I got lucky, as there were no cars around and it was peaceful. The peaceful feeling ended with the view ahead of me, 138 feet of hill rose in front of me! Now for my mathlete friends......we all know my relationship with math skills and how I struggle. ;) In the first half mile I started at an elevation of 209 feet and ended up at 347 feet.....so the question is what kind of slope is that? My legs can tell you it was a hell of a hill! After that, the mile and half over to the lake kinda seemed easy, and headed toward the dam. I think it will always seem a little strange to run past that spot on the dam where I found the man who was in cardiac arrest last December. I thought of him, wondering how he is doing and if I might ever meet him. I sent him my prayers.I looked around for birds on the rocky shore below and noticed a familiar person and her pups in the distance. There is a pretty little alcove with a nice beach just next to the end of the dam. I called out Would that be Jeanne? She looked upi and waved to me, so when I got off the dam I took a small detour to spend a few moments saying hello. Her dogs were busy fetching tennis balls she was flinging out into the lake! What good pups. The lake was a busy place today, people everywhere, cycling, kayaking, fishing, sailing, running, walking, picnic gatherings, and swimming dogs.This time of year there are lots of beautiful black butterflies with blue markings on their wings. I stopped for a moment crossing the bridge at the nature center to look for turtles. A little boy was asking his parents when they would come back out. It made me smile. I realized I made a silly mistake. When one goes out for a 10 mile run, it is a good idea to bring some fuel. I had not eaten any thing before I came out to run, and now I was close to 7 miles in and feeling a bit fatigued. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities around the lake to find water. I would be okay. I finished the loop around the lake and headed back toward the covered bridge. With 2 miles to go, I was thankful for the shade and thankful for the many clouds which kept me protected from the direct sun. Nothing takes it out of me faster. I can deal with heat and ridiculous humidity, but turn on the sun, and it KILLS me! I was just rounding the corner onto Ferry road, from the house on the corner as I crossed the driveway there was a car I recalled seeing at the place I had dinner last night. There in the car was my waiter, I smiled and said Didnt I just see you last night at Forlanos? He smiled back remembering, which was easy for him as we were the ONLY party in the place last night! Funny meeting, and I was finally in the home stretch. I looked at the time, it was 1:16. I started at 11:32. If I stepped up the pace I knew I could make the 10 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Certainly getting the half mile DOWN the huge hill helped ;) Crossing the covered bridge the second time was not nearly as picturesque. There were cars coming from all directions, and I was busy watching the traffic. I rounded the corner into the park making my final sprint to the car.......it was now 1:42! I felt pretty good as I climbed into the car, but knew I was going to need that ice bath by the time I arrived home. Roy was sweet and got the tub filling for me, by the time I pulled in the driveway, there was my tub almost filled with 50 degree water! I cannot say it feels good to get into to, and it feels even worse to hang out in, but emerging from it after close to 10 minutes feels DELIGHTFUL ! Yes getting out of the frosty water is something close to ecstasy! It resets the nervous system, reduces swelling and fatigue, and takes away stiffness. I have no idea how it works, I just know that it does. Now I was ready to go in search of lunch!
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 03:26:38 +0000
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