Saturday was nearly a perfect day for running, temperatures in the low 40s and little wind. We had a good group this morning - perhaps 12 or 15 in all, including Paul and Fred just finishing up when most of us were starting, and including two visitors from Nashville. I saw several in our group that I had missed lately due to the layoff due to surgery, and it was good to get caught up again. But my Saturday "long" run ended up at only a little over six miles. That troublesome right leg stiffened up again - too much time sitting at this desk? - and I thought it best to stop before it worsened.
That must be one of the hardest parts about training: we are always pushing a little more, a little faster or longer or steeper, and we know that this is the way of fitness, of strength. Hard effort places stress on muscles fibers, and the body responds with strength. But push too hard, especially when you are an aging runner, and that effort can result in injury. So there is always this careful balance at work: Two steps forward, one step backward. A hard day, and an easy day. Telling the body what to do, and listening to it attentively.
Rest day tomorrow.
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