We woke up to a beautiful but cold morning in Bend (34 degrees…!) but we knew that starting early allowed for a bit of humidity in the air as well as better running conditions….It was a long one – we planned for 18-20 miles.  This run is quite smooth on soft single track through the woods and high desert at the base at Bachelor.  Not a lot of rollers or elevation gain and the return is a wee bit faster than the outbound leg…everyone was able to just set their watch for 1:15-1:20 out, knowing the return is faster..then whatever mileage you ran…done.

When running long on trails, without valid mile pace – the body should/like to settle into a rhythm, homeostasis.  A place where the effort, the balance between aerobic and anaerobic energy systems (fat & glycogen burning engines) synch up nicely and you just allow the ‘legs to carry you’…So after a steady start – just relax, run, take in the surroundings, and enjoy the ability to be able to go out and run 18-20 miles on a Saturday morning in Bend OR, with perfect cool weather, incredible views, fit legs and sound mind.  Allowing your thoughts to clear, to untangle the brain…and realize that you are actually running pretty well, clicking off some steady miles, feel energetic and like you…can…run….forever…THAT is the brain off running I talk about in my coaching a lot…but it only comes if you allow yourself to let go of ‘how’ you are feeling with regards to running, and instead absorb and experience your environment – surroundings – your body’s synchronicity.

It was nice to hear when I got back, that others felt the same way: connected, strong, like they could run…much longer…and that they kept looking at their watch saying “ok, just a few more outbound minutes”…!

That afternoon the kids and I packed up – and drove back to Marin, Bay Area.  I was hoping to get back before midnight – get a decent night sleep and be in the pool (remember the one I missed?!) by 8:30am for Masters…