Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Glorious Glorious Day


Peeking through the trees on the Burlington Bike Path


I had a wonderful weekend of running from yesterday's awesome pace run to today's long run. The weather today was incredible.  I treated myself and went to the Burlington Bike Path which is my favorite place to run.  The plan was to do 12 miles at a decent pace in the 10s. When I do longer runs I tend to be very slow. (10s would be good, the lower the better. I am often in the 11s.)  The temperature was perfect. I was a bit cold to start but knew it wouldn't be long before I was fine.  The sun was out and sky was blue blue blue!  I went north first because my favorite part is south.  (That is why I gain weight - saving the frosting/whatever for last, maybe I wouldn't eat it all otherwise!)  There were a lot of people exercising on the bike path. The Vermont City Marathon is in two weeks and I imagine a lot of people were training/tapering. I am doing the half marathon relay so I was doing my long run this weekend.  Being on the bike path and seeing the signs around town for the marathon really hyped me up for the race which is an excellent marathon!
Another one of my favorite views 



Approaching the bike bridge that Howard Dean was responsible for



The Winooski River on one side/Lake Champlain on the other




Turning around to head back south



One of my favorite spots to take a break

I started out well.  My pace was great, in fact I kept questioning all morning as to whether my Garmin was working right, because it was much better than usual.  I varied between 9s and 10s the whole run.  I did stop and take pictures because it was such a perfect day for them.  I love this path and was just filled with well being - not trying to be sappy but I felt like it was just an incredible day. I was thoroughly enjoying myself.  I thought of all of you racing marathons and other distances. I hoped your weather was as good as mine.  



Burlington - our biggest city

I kept my pace up to where I wanted it even as I got farther into the miles.  I was having such a good day that I was playing with the idea that I would do the whole bike path and therefore go 14 miles instead of 12.  It was never too crowded and I didn't see a soul I knew.  I did decide to do the whole 14.  This put me past my half marathon distance in two weeks and that felt good.  The last couple miles I was thinking about the Chocolate Milk I had brought with me for after. I had found Soy Chocolate Milks that didn't need to be refrigerated and bought them for this purpose. I was practically salivating. My one HUGE disappointment of the day was when I discovered that I had not brought one after all!  But that one disappointment was not enough to dampen my spirits.  My overall pace was 10:12 for the 14 miles which was much better than I expected for this long run.  If only I can keep this up!

Almost done, playing with the self timer




Is anyone planning to walk/run/bike to work this week for National Walk/Bike to work week?  I am trying to figure out the logistics but I think I am going to try it.  It will take a lot of planning to have clean clothes/lunch etc. there the day before as I don't want to be carrying anything beyond the normal!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

With views like that I would run there very day!

Char said...

What a gorgeous part of the world to exercise in. Sounds like you're running really well and will be spot-on in time for your half.

Lindsay said...

Wow what a BEAUTIFUL run!!! How nice :)

Julie said...

Thats it, I am purchasing a ticket and coming to run with you:) You have to take me on the same run that you did today! What a gorgeous view and sounds like fantastic run!

Anne said...

What a gorgeous area to run in!! Congrats on an amazing long run...great pace!

Unknown said...

I love the bridge! It sounds like you had a nice, long run.
I'm out of school on June 18, 24 more days! Lots to do though, I won't even let my mind go there yet. Hope your final days are fun and productive!

Amy said...

Great pictures and what an awesome run! So glad it went well - you are all set for your half and faster than you thought!

Michelle said...

Gorgeous pictures! Great job on the 14 miles! I think Dad Wonder is planning on biking to work this week. Have a great one!

Unknown said...

ah...memories of the Burlington bike path. does the southern end connect to Red Rocks yet?
this will be my 3rd consecutive year biking to work for the week. this year, though, it is a very short ride. the hospital i work at is only 3 miles from home. (yes, i should ride EVERY day....) love the freeeeee socks!

Suzy said...

It sounds like a great weekend with two great runs! You do run in a very beautiful area!

Johann said...

That is beautiful! I'm glad you had a good run. It must be great to run on that trail.

LMC said...

Nice job on the long run, even extending it by 2 miles! Good for you! Your pix are beautiful. I totally get why that is your favorite running route. That scenery is very motivating.
Unfortunately for me, I live too far from work to walk and biking around here is down right scary, no shoulders for bikes and no point to point bike paths! I hope it works out for you though. Have a great week!

Hannah said...

WOW! Talk about a gorgeous place to run! Awesome.

Sounds like you kicked butt on your mileage and your pace. Yay!

If you decide you don't like the soy chocolate milk, Horizon makes an organic chocolate milk in individual packages that doesn't have to be refrigerated, either. I jumped for joy when I found it! Though I may switch to the soy choco milk, as I didn't even think about that. (I don't do dairy very often.)

Lauren said...

I love Burlington, we spent a week between there and upstate NY. Mu husband was just there last week for work, so jealous.

Pining for Pinterest said...

I would love to run there too!!! Those are gorgeous views :)

Ewa said...

Talk about a beautiful day. Did you guys stole our sun yesterday? We had clouds for most of the day. :) May is such a wonderful month on the East Coast. There is nothing better than fresh green on trees.
Good job on your run. It is so beautiful there, no wonder you wanted to run more.
Have a wonderful week.

Molly said...

I think you could be a photographer if you ever got tired of teaching!!

Katie A. said...

You live in such a beautiful place that it must be hard not to run!
Nice pace, too!

Anne said...

To answer your question, my half-marathon is on Sunday May 30th in Ottawa. Thanks so much for your encouragement :)

Heidi said...

Awesome pics! I feel like I was right there running with you. Great distance too!

I didn't realize it was bike to work week. I rode a couple times last week and was planning some this week as well. Had to drive today as I have errands to run that require me to carry more than I can on my bicycle. Maybe I'll hit up the grocery store today and get a few staples packed into my office.

LookingUpAgain said...

I think that you must live in the most beautiful area of the country! How could you not love running with view like that!? When are you done with school for the year?

Tara said...

Wow, what gorgeous pictures! I love spring, that feeling of new life and new blooms on the trees and flowers!

I had no idea that it was National walk/bike day. I'll have to look into that!

Teamarcia said...

So glorious indeed!
BTW I'm trying to limit my chocolate intake because I simply have no control.

HappyTrails said...

Awesome.Awesome.Awesome.Pictures. What a great place to run and you had a great pace. Good job and enjoy all that green with the great sunshine!

MCM Mama said...

Great run! Awesome pictures.

Darlene said...

What a beautiful place to run!!

Emz said...

Thanks for the comment!!!
My Hubby came here on a b-ball scholarship on the east coast. Came out to phx after graduating JUST to help a friend move. We met on a blind date & were married within 70 days. C r a z y!!

Laurie said...

Beautiful pictures! Looks like a lovely place to run.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I like my shoes too, obviously, or they wouldn't be my profile picture. It makes me happy when I see them. :)

Stacey said...

Love the pics. What a beautiful place to run!

Jill said...

All I can say is your scenery is simply breathtaking!!! Wow!

Pat said...

Awesome pictures! I would love to have that scenery while running.

I really enjoy your posts. Especially this one.