Run For Steem: Sometimes It Is Not About the Run but the Company...

It also means the weather has been quite nice for running, so I couldn't neglect to join in on my favorite non-food challenge each week.  ;) This post will count as my #runforsteem to continue to support @jumowa's wonderful initiative to keep folks moving.  Check out the latest post here to join in with this great crew: https://steemit.com/runforsteem/@jumowa/weekly-run-for-steem-challenge-mar-27th-apr-3rd-and-payout-for-last-week

You can see all the trees in our backyard are starting to wake up from their winter slumber.  I was quite pleased to take a little time after my run this morning to just sit on the porch and soak up some sunshine with the sounds of Spring in my ears.  Nature really can be so soothing if you can take the time to just take it all in.  I have learned over my years in the health industry that rest is just as important as exercise and nutrition in maintaining your health, so I try to take my moments of recovery and stress-release where I can.

I had really hoped to get a long run in on Friday, but that just didn't happen.  I managed to squeeze in 1200 meter repeats with a strength circuit in between.  Then I though maybe today after running with my friend I might tack on some extra miles to make up for it, but while my body could have handled it my heart was just not in it.  Today was one of those days the run was more about spending some much needed time with a close friend than getting in the speed or distance.

We ended up getting in just over 4 miles, which isn't terrible considering we had our third running buddy, Theo, with us.  He usually has some great stamina, but when it starts getting warmer out he has a harder time hanging on for longer runs.  He can't help it, the short snout does him in.  I'm always happy to have him come along, though.  @dksart and I don't have a dog, but I do love to get a little love from a sweet pup every now and then!

My friend also felt a little fatigued today.  Could be in part the pollen, but her neighborhood is also quite hilly.  While the weather is stunning right now, it always coincides with layers of pollen as everything starts to bloom all at once.  Still totally worth it to get outside, though. ;)  We at least got a little bit faster as we went along.  I also wore my heart rate monitor for the first time in a while, and I averaged about 140 beats/minute so I still stayed in a range that would maintain my aerobic capacity.

I've been doing a lot of my miles alone, so I won't pass up a run with a friend when I get a chance.  I'll get in some more solid runs this week on my own, but for today I was quite content with an easy run with my gal pal!

I hope you all got some nice moments to keep your heart happy (in more ways than one) this weekend, as well!