Down by the Lake

I love running on the trail that surrounds the lake by my university.  Yesterday I woke up early and went for a long run -- 11 miles!  That's the farthest that I've ever run.  Today I'm feeling sore, but only when I move (especially after I've been sitting for a while, like in class) or when I climb stairs (they're doing me in!).  But it is a good kind of sore, so it is okay.  I really enjoyed my run yesterday.  At 9 a.m. only the really hardcore people are out running.  What's funny about that is that I would have never described myself as a hardcore runner!  I also tried out my new running belt and I really liked it.  I liked how I felt strong as I ran.  I thought the first 8 miles or so of my run went pretty well.  I was able to pick up speed when I felt myself sagging.  The last three miles were tougher, partly due to the fact that I had stopped to get some water and then started up again.  I love running around the lake.  It is nice to run through the woods to get to the lake.  It feels like I am leaving the city I live in for a while and I can pretend like I am somewhere else.  I feel so fortunate to have discovered this trail system and this great lake right (practically) in my backyard!

Please excuse the not-so-great quality of these pictures as they were taken with my cell phone. 

Both of these pictures were taken this past fall.