Merry Christmas run

I set out this weekend knowing my plan was to run Christmas Eve. What a perfect way, to me, to celebrate any holiday and day off of work? The original plan was to get up and start my day with it before 9a.m..... well, friends,... that did not happen. As peaceful as a nice morning run can be, when I get the chance to sleep past 8, I take it. I came downstairs and started my day and the chances of an actual run happening felt like they were diminishing.

Until about 1:00. I decided I just needed to get out and do it. So that's exactly what I did. I laced up my shoes and headed out with music, phone, and water in tow. I wasn't sure how far I would go. I was pretty sure I overdressed but I didn't care. I did not want to struggle with being super cold for that first mile. Being alone, it would kill my resolve and I'd probably crap out at 2 miles. Of course, 2 miles in I had to ditch my performance fleece and tie it around my waist, stuff my gloves in my bra straps and put my headband around my wrist. It didn't really help encourage feelings of speed or gazelle-like runner status, but I was rarely cold or overheating so I did pretty well.

Wait, did I say I ran with music? For the most part, I believe in running without it. I enjoy the sounds of nature. Being aware of my surroundings and personal safety but I use my shuffle occasionally when I know I'll need that extra motivation. That something to drown out the voices telling me to stop. So today, I ran with my ipod. Metallica, Rihanna, System of a Down, Maroon 5, Trampled By Turtles, more Metallica, all prodded me onward. For some reason, Metallica provided more than just noise, and I felt my running power increase whenever it came on.

Despite using music as the ultimate distraction, I could not help but enjoy nature's show. The warm sun pushing temps toward an atypical 40 degrees. The shuffling of the path beneath my feet. The completely atypical lack of snow. It was like an early November day here in Minnesota and made for perfect running.
As I approached home, I finally fell to the urge to check my runkeeper to find out my distance. I had delusions that it was around 6 miles, and my heart sank when it said 4.98. I trudge toward home for another 0.3 before the demoralization of the hill ahead combined with that earlier deflation, made me turn the last quarter mile into a mere cool down walk.

I ended my run slightly disappointed that I hadn't done 6 or more miles, but was happy with 5.3, even though part of me truly thought it was further. That inner instinct was right. Upon inspection, my runkeeper had lost connection for a bit and just drew a straight line between the two points. I altered that and it turned out to be 5.55!  Gaining that quarter mile meant I ran 5.5 miles in 1 hour and I am perfectly happy with that.

One very endorphin producing, thought clearing, challenging hour. I do not run to race anymore. I do not need a race to make myself get out there. I run for myself. I run to celebrate holidays.  My Christmas present to myself did not cost any money, but left me feeling more satisfied than any tangible gift.