Running Day, Chelsea and summer evening air.

When the day has warmed everything and its saturated with smells that hang in the air, it is such a surreal time to be out. It invokes a feeling of comfort like the way a kitchen smells  after a dinner lovingly cooked for the family.
I had forgotten how much I love to run in the evenings.

Pine trees, peonies and honesuckle mingling with peoples dinner smells and barbeque's.  There is a mellowness that can't be beat.  The sun is on its way and not beating down and people are starting to relax. That feeling seems to reverberate through time and space unlike in the morning when its crisp and new and full of potential energy waiting to get out again. I haven't settled into the day yet and feel more agitated in the mornings. (Working on that!)

  I set out to burn off some energy and to hang my ribbons for Chelsea this evening. I didn't print a race bib. To me it wasn't a race. Every day that I run is Running Day. I appreciate it each and every time. Today however I thought about my fears and how each time I go out alone in the world to run, I conquer those fears.  You ladies out there know especially what I mean. We do battle with ourselves and face the unknown when we go out and quite frankly its hard.  Some of us don't make it back.
  So I hung ribbons to honor Chelsea along my favorite route at the top of the hill overlooking beautiful Des Moines. If you don't know who I speak of, please go to Kayte's page and read about her.  Kayte is holding a Finish Chelsea's Run virtual run to honor a young girl who was taken from this world too soon and it happened when she was out running. Kayte sent ribbons when I signed up to participate. This route is special to me in so many ways. I have laughed, cried, pushed myself in all aspects and pushed some lovely little boys in strollers here too.

  On my way out I was feeling quite good!  The ground was warm and I was quite relaxed and able to run from my hips. I felt fast and at ease.

I came upon a train I had to go around and figured it would be good practice for Dam to Dam to run on the rough road.  If I remember correctly from last year, the start of the race at Saylorville Dam is on a gravel road, or at least part of it.

  I had to go a little over a quarter mile down and then come back up the other side. I guess I could have crossed the tracks there but it looked rougher to do that then just go down to the road.

I learned that letting my feet mold to the surface instead of fighting it is less painful. Its a matter of accepting that its going to be uncomfortable and its ok. Its not so bad.  I was quite relaxed.

When I got to the top of the hill at the cemetery, I was rewarded with this view.  Right behind me was the tree that I hung Chelsea's ribbons on. Its a sweet smelling pine tree.

Sweaty me after getting to the top of the hill and running the quarter mile loop at the top up and around again a couple of times.

I couldn't have asked for a better day to be out. I didn't want to go too far since I should be tapering a little bit for the race this weekend but I don't think the 5.25 was too much. Just right in fact.

Here is my "Tonia" pose as I was ready to head back down to finish up the lower hills of my route before going home. I need to work on this to perfect getting all of me in it. You can't see my bare feet or all of my sweet Sugoi Moxie skirt.
I hope you all had a wonderful Running Day. It was gorgeous here and I am thankful I got out and enjoyed it. It was good for my Soles!
I will get to that Tropical Traditions giveaway tomorrow. I chose to do this post  and some P90X yoga instead when I got home. Its so nice to come home and be met by the two year old spawn, Archimedes. He saw me and came running up to give me a hug and kiss!
Cheers all!