Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hips don't lie

I listened to the rain spitter spatter as I nursed Miles at 3:30 a.m. Actually, it was more than a spitter and spatter. It was more like a pounding on the windows.

It was the kind of rain that made you glad you were inside - not outside running. But I had promised Denali (and myself) that we would run this morning. Rain or no rain. If I could run through knee-deep water during the HUFF, I could handle a little shower.

I rolled out of bed at 5:35 a.m., a little later than I had planned but still enough time (I hoped) to squeeze in a couple miles before Miles woke up for the day. I got dressed, leashed up Denali and was out the door 15 minutes later. Once outside, we were greeted with quite possibly the most perfect weather. It was a toasty 47 degrees and the sky had stopped. It was a blessing of a December morning.

We started out slow but steady - I wanted to make sure I was tuned in to my body to see how everything felt after running the HUFF. Unlike road races where I usually feel soreness in my calves, hamstrings and/or quads the next day or so, my ankles and hips were what felt the most uncomfortable. I attribute the discomfort to the awkward gait I had to adopt due to the muddy and sloped trails. My ankles felt fine but my right hip felt ... well ... I could feel it. It didn't hurt, and I wouldn't even say that it was uncomfortable. I just knew it was there.

I continued to be mindful as I picked up the pace a bit as we cruised around the neighborhood - you have to run fast to be fast (relatively, of course). I never felt strained nor did I feel as if the "discomfort" became anything greater. In fact, I think the hip started to feel better as if all I needed was a good stretch.

I felt fantastic and rejuvenated as I rounded home just shy of 2.5 miles. I couldn't have asked for a better run, not even at 3:30 as I listened to the rain.

Did you run today? How was it?

3 comments:

  1. Nice job getting out there (OHH SOOOO EARLY)! You're just awesome. You have your priorities perfectly in line and I love that you still got out there even though I'm sure you would have preferred to sleep in. Love that! I didn't run - am loving the warmer weather though.

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  2. I've had 2 good runs on the treadmill today and yesterday. Should have gotten outside with the great weather, but Leo was sleeping so it was easier to just jump on. We'll be in TN over Christmas so there will DEFINITELY be outside running happening!

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  3. Love it when the runs we usually don't want to run are the runs that turn out to be the best =)

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