Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do this week’s long run.
Bird - Chipping Sparrow (Photo credit: blmiers2)I’d taken the week off of all scheduled exercise, due to my back going out last Sunday – the day after the 9 mile run. E’s back went out then too, so we kind of assumed it was related to the run. For both of us, it was a muscle strain or some such. We were both working it through. E did work out, G-d bless her. Me, I was afraid of harming it more.Turns out I was just being a wuss. My back is now fine. Whatever the issue was this entire week worked itself out with today’s run. I’m now totally thinking that if I had run earlier in the week, I would have saved myself entire days of discomfort. Oh well, live and learn as they say.
In any case, a pack of us met up today to do our 10.3 out-and-back. It was a glorious day. Mid-forties. Clear. Birds were out and singing. It was a great day for a run. 
The others took off like a shot. Their pace was truly impressive. They looked awesome from the back.
Me, I was a wee bit slower. I wasn’t sure how much of the run I’d be able to do. I figured I’d go even slower than normal, which doesn't seem possible but is, and when/if my back started to hurt, I’d start walking back to the cars.
Except that that didn’t happen. I forgot about my back. My mind wandered as I watched squirrels chase each other up trees. It was glorious.
Was it tiring? Sure. Was it intense and difficult? Yeah. Did I fantasize about fluids toward the end? You betcha. Did I end a half hour after everyone else? Most definitely. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
I finished. My back pain is mostly gone. I feel awesome.
Tomorrow: yoga.
