A Gorgeous Day for a Jog Along the Hudson

Today I actually had the urge to go for a run. I haven't had that urge in a long while. In the summer I just hated running in the heat--it's hard for me to do any intense cardio when it's very hot. Then in August I sprained my ankle and there was definitely no running after that. However, today my ankle felt good and I felt I just had to run, even though I had shoulders & back weight training scheduled for today. I figured I shouldn't ignore a healthy urge for a jog, so I went. I can't run full out the whole time. I run a bit, then walk a bit, then run a bit, etc.

I think part of the urge to run started this morning when we drove around the area looking at the beautiful fall foliage. We went to a nearby state park and I saw people jogging along the park trails. It occurred to me that it was probably a gorgeous time to jog along the trail that starts near my house and goes along a hill overlooking the Hudson River. I much prefer running in the fall to running in the blazing summer sun. Sure enough, it was the perfect day for a jog. The sky was slightly cloudy, but not dreary. It was cool and crisp and leaves littered the trail. The trees had lost just enough leaves for me to glimpse more of the river than I can see in spring and summer. My ankle felt fine except for one scary moment when I hit something on the path and it twisted in pain just briefly. I walked gingerly a bit but it seemed o.k. so I kept going. I actually ran a little better on the way home, when I got into my old rhythm of picking a spot to run to before slowing to a walk. Then I would near the spot and decide I was good to go a little further and pick another spot. This way I pushed myself to run a little more than I had before.

When I got home I rested for a few minutes, then I got up and did some weights for my shoulder and back after all. Then I did a lengthy session of core work. I didn't follow a video for all this (for once) but just did my own thing. I've been following workout videos long enough to know some great exercises now. Then I gave myself a really good stretch before curling up on the couch to write this. I feel really great, and I think I might start running more often again. I've always done better with weight loss when I add a little jogging to my workout rotation.