I don't care what the calendar says--Spring is Here!

5 Miles run today.  I have been re-reading Chi Running and I really want "it" to work.  The idea of running pain free where running is a practice and not an activity you do or task to complete sounds wonderful to me.  I love all the ideas and it makes sense when you see it on paper, but fine tuning the technique in a run is difficult.

Staying relaxed, focusing on posture with the slight forward bend, and the proper foot strike is hard enough--but then adding breathing into the mix--forgetabout it (said with a NJ accent--which in case you were wondering does not really exist--what most people think is a NJ accent is a Staten Island/NY accent from transplants to NJ).

Here is a shot of one of my favorite old barns at the start of the run:

I really focused on the technique (minus the breathing--I panted along as I normally do) and I would have sworn I was running my normal 10:30 pace for the first 3 miles, but look:

Split	Hour:Minute:SecondTime	MilesDistance	Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary	00:57:00	5.52	10:19
1	00:09:29	1.00	09:29
2	00:09:43	1.00	09:43
3	00:09:42	1.00	09:42
4	00:11:47	1.00	11:47
5	00:11:11	1.00	11:11
6	00:05:06	0.52	09:50

Unfortunately I did not feel like I could run forever and I did not find my groove at 2-3 miles (where I typically find it)---so after the 3 miles, I decided to run the reservoir trail back.  Knowing it would slow me down and allow me to recover.  Miles 4-5.5 where on the trail.  I was able to pick it up (only slightly) when I hit the paved path for the last mile back to Cross Farms.

It was such a beautiful sunny high 50s day--I ran without music.  I really wanted to find that zen moment--but it never came.  Maybe next time...

Here is a shot of my favorite part of the reservoir trail:

and here is a funky 5 trunk tree: