Ever have a run that starts off badly...but ends up great?

When I left work yesterday, this was the forecast. (Note: I left work later than 3:55) 

Perfect running weather.

I decided that I did not want to run my same ol' routes that I normally run around my neighborhood. So, I decided to pack my running clothes and go to a park near the area where I work. Just a bit about me-I really hate change; the whole way there, I thought about just going home and doing my normal routine. However, I forced myself to just TRY IT.

I have been having a lot of issues with my shoes and leg pain; when I got there, I was already thinking about the pain that was sure to come. However, I laced up and started on my way. I got .41 in and decided to stretch. The pain was not good. I was also going at a snail's pace. I stretched and that loosened up some of my leg muscles. I started back. Well, I got to about .75 and decided to loosen up my shoe laces. I also mentally decided that I would stop at 3 miles.  Loosening up the laces did the trick. So I kept on going, still very slowly, not really getting into my groove until around mile 2.

I followed the trail to a bigger 1 mile loop. When I got the 1 mile loop, I got excited because there were PEOPLE. Prior to that, there was just one really weird looking lady. She actually almost scared me back into my car. Anyway, these were normal looking people on the loop, so that excited me. I also noticed HILLs...ok, NOT true East Coast Hills, but inclines. I was so excited.

First loop was good, the hills felt so good...going up and down them made me remember when I first started running. I learned how to run in Queens, NY, so lots of hills. I finished the first loop, checked my watch and decided to do one more loop.

Second loop was even better, I was going faster, also. I also decided to do a few hill repeats. It was so nice to go up them and fly back down. I also passeed a lady who told me, "you are going fast!"...I won't mention that she was just walking slowly LOL.

At the end of the second loop, it was getting darker, but I was just at 4.15 miles. I told myself, I'd go out a .5 mile and then head back to my car. I ended up doing the WHOLE loop. I never get that, "I don't want this to ever end" feeling, so I decided to go with it.

I finished the last lap and headed back to my car. I was going and going and going...and then realized I totally misguaged how far away I was from my car--oops, my mistake. My car was about a mile away from the 1 mile loop. I started to panic a bit. It was getting dark and deserted. I was running along a road, and I just knew that someone would kidnap me. FINALLY, I got to where my car was..I was so relieved. I sprinted back to my car. When I got back to my car, I was able to breathe and relax.

This run was so nice!!!

Tom Bass Park, I will be back!

I learned a few things from this run:

1. Even bad runs can turn good. You just have to keep pushing.

2. My average pace was wayyy slower than I wanted it to be, but the run felt good. So while I was disappointed in my overall pace, this run was still a great moral boosting run.

3. I need new shoes :P

4. Stepping out of my comfort zone yields great results. I've decided that I will be trying other parks in the city. I just need to get to them earlier! Shh...don't tell my mom was running in the dark. I lied to her and told her I went earlier in the day ;)