my day off

3.3 miles . . .

put in so many miles this week that today was practically nothing. a few years ago, before i became obsessed with running, the idea that 3.3 miles would feel like nothing would be crazy talk. my mom asked me a few weeks ago when my day off from running was. i said i didn't have one. she went into a rehearsed talk about how important a day off is, etc, whatever. i tried to explain to her that when i run 3.3 miles (or really anything under 6) it is a day off, in fact it is more than that. it takes no effort. i don't have to get into a zone to do it. i don't need to focus. i feel free. i feel the complete joy of running. it's relaxation. stranger still is the concept that as i put more stress on my body, everything will feel different. i'm sure an ultra-marathoner sees 10 miles much as the way i see 3.3. it's all perspective.

it was a nice quiet morning--other than the garbage trucks. few people or cars around. ran through the cemetery, always sobering. and just around the neighborhood, obscure cul-de-sacs and the like.