Yesterday my brain was just beat. Mentally and emotionally exhausted. There was a part of me that wanted to just skip my run, mainly due to the negativity that was wearing down my logical thought processes. Fortunately I had already promised my friend Jimmy that I would run with him in the evening, so I had committed to getting in the run.
We met at a local park and started our running. After a short distance, we came across another guy who asked us if we were from the Las Vegas Ultra Running Club (a group we’ve got going on Facebook to hopefully connect other runners with group runs in the LV area). The guy is from Ohio, visiting Vegas for a month and was looking for groups to run with. Vegas is an interesting place to try finding runners in the summer, a lot of the more populous running groups tend to dwindle in numbers through the summer heat.
Anyway, we ran a little with this guy but after 2.6 miles Jimmy called it quits. I can’t blame him, he’d already run 21 miles that morning, so really running with me was more of a “courtesy run” that evening.
After saying good-bye to Jimmy, I ran another couple laps around the park, 1.5 of them with this guy from Ohio.
After this I got in my car to drive back home. As I was driving, I still felt a little antsy. I knew I was feeling better, but the gloom wasn’t quite all “fixed”. Upon arriving home, I pulled my car into the garage, immediately got out of the car and hit the road again.
Running in the dark was wonderful. The temps had dropped to around 98 degrees, combined with the fact that the sun wasn’t beating on me the run felt great. I need to run in the dark more often.
I ran another 3.3 miles around my neighborhood. Everything about it just clicked. My legs seemed to turnover in a smooth, fluid motion. My heart was beating, but didn’t feel like I was exerting myself too much. My breathing was hard, but not labored.
I finally felt better. The pressure was released… and it just took 8.73 miles to get there.
Jill Will Run 
Wow… I’m glad that you made yourself go out there and run. Nice job tacking on that extra three.
I swear that running is a prescription against clinical depression. It has saved my sanity on many occasions.
I am glad the clouds have cleared. I hope better weather is ahead.
Sorry I bailed on you last night. My body was just done. I am glad that you got your mind straightened with your run. It always helps me out. That is why I have that key chain that says “Running is cheaper then therapy”
No apologies needed… you’d done plenty of running time for the day! And it’s true, running is cheaper than therapy… if only it solved EVERY problem I encounter!
wow… “temp dropped to 98*” …yeah that sounds real refreshing! 😉 i know, i know, with the sun gone it does make a difference. definitely makes you even more hardcore in my book! nice job on the run and beating the funk out 🙂
Ha,haha I can’t believe the temp dropped all the way to 98!! Brrr! WOW, I honestly don’t know how you do it! I can hardly handle the 80s as it is!
Also, I LOVE running when it’s dark. Just wish it was safer to do so in Brooklyn! 😦
P.S. YAY, can’t wait for Ragnar!! 🙂
Just wanted to drop by to say thanks for stopping by my blog.
I had the same thought as lindsay re: “temp dropped to 98” – if we ever see 98 around here, you won’t catch me outside long enough to take a few breaths, let alone run! Good job getting out there.
P.S. I’ve added you to my reading list as well!
It’s funny how sometimes a run can start out phenomenal but other times it takes several miles to really get the groove on (as I like to say). My 10K today was rough the first 1.5 but then I got a nice rhythm going and until I hit the sunny patch with the heat and wind it was sweet. I’m glad you were able to get to that sweet spot. 🙂
I like that… the “running sweet spot”.
Hey thanks for your words of encouragement on my blog last week…I’m just catching up on all my blog reading.
I still don’t know how you run in Vegas in the heat. It’s just amazing to me.
I seriously think that you and Alissa must have some of the most beautiful scenery to run with, thank you for sharing that photo. I would imagine the wide open spaces seem to help you clear your head.