One of my favorite ways to do long runs is to do an "Out and Back". That means you run out from some starting point one-half your distance then run back. Today my goal was to run six miles so I chose to run on the High Line Canal starting at Goodson Rec Center.
The High Line Canal is a great place to run especially starting at Goodson Rec Center because this is the home of "Mile marker Zero"! You can run in either direction finding mile markers at every half mile. It is a delightful, "packed-dirt" trail... lined with beautiful mansions, vegetation, and wildlife.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the "Out and Back" style of running. I'm not sure if this is an advantage or disadvantage, but once you get to the half way mark, there are no short cuts to get back... so it helps you stick to your original commitment and complete your mileage for the day.
Back when I was training for a marathon or half ironman, I remember running out past mile marker six before turning around. It has been quite some time since I have done distances like that. So today was a very special day... ...as today was my reunion with mile marker three... a marker that I haven't seen in over five years. 
My running experience was almost surreal... I trotted along achieving an almost meditative state... then every once in a while my legs would have a flash back... a memory of the distance runs I've done in the past... I could feel my pace pick up... my tempo quicken... then I would slow down again... trying to keep my upper body relaxed... listening to my foot strike and the rubbing sound my arms made as the material of my wind breaker brushed my side.
I liked watching the houses I passed... wondering who lives there... wondering about their professions and past times...
My mile splits were as follows:
Mile 1 - 14:21.o - 136 avg heart rate, 150 max
Mile 2 - 15:15.2 - 142 avg heart rate, 151 max
Mile 3 - 15:25.3 - 142 avg heart rate, 156 max
Mile 4 - 16:42.2 - 139 avg heart rate, 152 max
Mile 5 - 15:32.4 - 148 avg heart rate, 158 max
Mile 6 - 14:47.5 - 149 avg heart rate, 164 max
Total Elapsed Time: 1:32:03 - 143 avg heart rate
I promised myself that I wouldn't be critical of my mile pace... just one short month ago, I could not run at all, so I praise my efforts today and stand proudly in honor of my mile splits.
I finished the day with a two mile walk with a friend around Daniels Park... over looking the vastness of Colorado... catching up and communing...
...how wonderful and amazing this state is...
...how wonderful it is to be back into running...
...how wonderful it is to simply be alive!
In Gratitude,
Carla Lynn!
Carla Lynn!
