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Another step forward in the journey.

I went to bed late last night after the meal prep session and only got a few hours of sleep (I am a night cook). By 9:30 I was out the door, still a bit stiff and with a light headache. Before starting, I did a few quick stretches, especially for my glutes, since I’d felt some tension there.

Finding my rhythm took a while. Initially, I began too quickly (as is often the case), then proceeded too slowly, resulting in my heart rate increasing beyond the desired level. After about 10 minutes, things began to settle. I focused on drinking regularly, three sips at a time, and that worked really well. I also had a gel about halfway through.

The intervals were the real highlight. They felt fantastic, and I loved being able to hit the “yellow” tempo zone and then push into “red.” It gave me such a boost; body, mind, and spirit all felt alive. Despite my lack of sleep, running fast like that was pure joy.

Around minute 41, I felt a sharp pain in my left knee. I adjusted my posture, tilted my hips forward, and stretched out through the quads, which helped ease it. By focusing on running tall, straight back, lifted neck, and engaging from the core, I not only managed the pain but also noticed my form improving. Pushing off from the ball of the foot and big toe made the stride feel lighter and more powerful.

The weather was perfect: cool in the shade, warm in the sun. I even caught myself wishing for rain, since I love running in it. Nature, fresh air, and the shifting temperatures made it a special experience. My audiobook kept me smiling along the way, and by the end I felt recharged and clear-headed.

I felt the muscles working strongly, especially in my glutes and inner thighs. My fueling was precise, as I carried exactly the amount of water recommended by the ADIDAS RUNNING app. Looking back, an extra gel might have helped toward the end, since I noticed some stomach growls.

After the two hours, I finished feeling both happy and tired. Stretching, eating, and recovery are the next priorities. Once back home, I began to relax and even experienced goosebumps. It is now time for a hot shower, a cup of tea, and a nourishing meal.