Runner's High

I know, I know...I'm the biker girl...not a runner! With the temps still too chilly though for me to do much wheeling around, I've been hitting the trail in my snow shoes with my favorite hound running partner. I never used to run on trails when I was running...I'd pound the pavement (and my knees). I was very good at replacing my running shoes every three months or so (because that's what the marketing people and sales people told me I had to do), and would wear those skimpy running shorts, etc.. I'd stretch, warm-up and followed all the rules.

I'm not following those rules anymore (probably the only surprise here is that I actually followed the rules before!) Now, I am wearing snow-boots, lots of layers of clothing, gloves, hat...and am running on the trails, climbing and descending in the river valley and trying not to slide on the ice. My boots don't have the "magic" soles to support your feet, and my clothing isn't what I would call "running clothing---more like skiing clothing. Anyway, you have to ride for a good hour, sometimes two, before you get that "buzz", which begins about a mile in to a run. You know what I am talking about? It's commonly referred to a runner's high. Wow! And once I get that "buzz", I can go and go.

Sigh, I guess I "go-ed and go-ed" a little too much though. I jogged a little over a 10K a day, every day but one last week and I think I over-did it. I was shivering and achy all night last night. (Could be the trip to the YMCA, after my jog, to teach a spinning class put me over the top?) In any case, I am taking a complete day off from exercise today (although a 2 mile walk with my hound isn't really exercise, is it?)

Mike couldn't believe that I woke up this morning feeling fine enough to go to work. Neither could I. Guess I recover well. As much as I want to go run though, I am sticking to my "taking a day off today". My knees are achy...I must be getting old or something. We're getting cold again here (well...it's been cold...colder would be more accurate). I'm ready for spring.

I hope you had a nice weekend....Happy Monday, Martin Luther King Day, and Happy Birthday Raquel!