Runner's High

I don't put much stock in the runner's high.

I ran 6 miles today, under what some would think were unpleasant conditions. We had thick fog this morning to complement the pre-dawn 48 F drizzle. I ran 3 warm-up miles quietly in the dark, admiring the reds, golds, and browns of the leaves through the moist haze. At mile 3, I began to run my hill repeats on Mt. Tendinitis. I had abandoned hat and vest back at my house because I was too warm. It began to rain more heavily. By mile 4, on my 4th crest of the hill, I felt my legs and pace were particularly strong. Facing a glow in the east, with rain water trickling down my face, the thought came over me: "This feels really, really good."

It did for the remainder of the day.