Finally, I surpassed 60 miles in training. Sunday, is my day to turn off the alarm clock and I was happy to rise 1 1/2 hours past the usual, rising at 6:30 a.m. I have always been a morning person.

After yesterdays 18.5 miler, a recovery run was in order. In fact, the highest order of recovery run, which I refer to as a massage-run – slow pace and low heart-rate zone, about 112-125. Massage-runs are best done on the treadmill because the soft surface is oh-so gentle on tired legs. While the surface is ideal, I really prefer running outdoors, except when faced with cold fall or spring rain. And if you ever wondered why runners have that annoying habit of running on the road rather than the sidewalk, the reason is pavement does have a bit of shock absorption.

While running through Mt. Pleasant cemetery yesterday, we once again saw a deer. This time I was ready with my camera but unfortunately the deer was not quite so close as at the last spotting.

Another highlight of the long run came at the 16 mile point, when I dropped in on my brother and his family to use the facilities and for a glass of water. My sister-in-law has a treadmill and reported that she has increased her pace from 4.5 to 6.0 and is loving it. She is following in the footsteps of my one and only sister, who also runs on a treadmill and over the past year, has decided to speed up. The kids confessed to various misdemeanors involving surreptitious treadmill usage. I provided a cautionary tale of a friend who was badly injured when she stumbled on a treadmill.

My brother and nephew were on their way out to fish, and I took this quick shot of my 6 & 11 year old nieces.

As for the tally this week . . .

Mon.	9	(3 + 6)
Tues.	6
Wed.	7
Thurs.	9	(3 + 6)
Fri.	7
Sat.	18.5
Sun.	6
Total	62.5

 

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

1 Corinthians 9:26