5k Every Day in the Month of May (Day 365)

This morning I woke up to nearly a foot of snow and 13 degree weather (that supposedly felt like -2). As appealing as it sounded to get my run in first thing in the morning, I used my better judgement and realized that the weather was supposed to get into the 40’s by late afternoon.

So I went for the late afternoon run.

I was lucky to have my favorite running partner with me for the first 2 miles. They were mountain miles! We were moving along at an 11 minute per mile pace, nearly traipsing up the muddy mountain path. Jodi was thinking about turning around early, mostly because she couldn’t breathe (minor detail). I told her I would turn around when she did and could just drop her off at the cabin before finishing my 5k. But she was awesome. Even though she desperately wanted to turn around (and go downhill instead of uphill), she kept going. She wanted 2 miles total. 1 mile out and 1 mile back.

Her extra effort was worth it! In the last quarter mile out, the trees split and revealed an absolutely breathtaking view of Pike’s Peak! It was beautiful before, but with the fresh snow it was really an amazing site to behold. I wish I would have had my camera on me.

We turned around and I dropped her off at the cabin while I kept going to finish off my 5k. This was my victory lap! My goal was to run at least a 5k every day for 365 days in a row, and today was the 365th day!

As I pulled down to a 7:20 per mile pace I started flying downhill on a winding paved road. I got to where I should have turned around to get an even 5k, but for some reason I decided to keep going a little further. I knew that every step down meant I would have to take another step back up, but something kept pulling me downhill, as if there was something for me a little further down the road…

…and there was.

As I came around a sharp curve in the road, there was a large herd of deer just hanging out. I tried to slow my breathing and soften my steps to see how close I could get. I was right next to the deer before they spooked and jutted up the mountain.

How cool!

I’m so glad that I didn’t turn back early.

Once again, I wish I would have had a camera… I could have taken a picture to post online for all of the world to see (or at least for the 3 or 4 people who read my blog to see…)

But here’s a better idea… maybe you should just join me in this running adventure! Who knows what you will be able to see with your own eyes and experience for yourself!

Today marks the end of my 5k Every Day in the month of May (which ended up being extended for the entire year), but tomorrow marks the beginning of 5k Every Day in the Month of May!!

How exciting!

I would love for you to join me on this brand new adventure! I’ll be posting the details later today, so be sure to check back. 

Today’s run, my victory lap, was 3.4 miles at an average pace of 9:54 per mile. I finished in 34:14.