On Wednesday I returned to the Bethpage Bikeway for a short run.
It was a partly sunny early afternoon, with temps in the mid-50’s. I had no real goal for this run than to hopefully not feel any discomfort.
I started off really slow because my legs felt like lead. It had been about 4 hours since I had eaten anything so that’s probably the reason for the heaviness. But I knew I’d find a comfortable pace, so I wasn’t worried. My legs always wake up.
The Bethpage Bikeway is one of my favorite running paths for several reasons:
- It’s incredibly quiet and allows you to focus on your footsteps
- You are surrounded by nature so no worrying about traffic
- The views really take you out of your element
- It’s never very crowded so no weaving around many people
- The tall trees protect you from the harshness of the summer sun and the strong, cold winter winds
- There are markers for every 0.1-mile for the first 2.3 miles, then every .25-miles after that. This makes it easy to keep track of your distance.
I ran all the way to Linden from Sunrise Highway and by the time I turned around, I was a bit tired, and more importantly, very hungry. My energy was leaving me. I had no pain or discomfort in my hip, but I knew 2 miles in, I wouldn’t be able to go much further. I tried to relax and just let my concerns go. Eventually, when I stopped, I had reached 3.16 miles in 33 minutes. My splits: mile 1 – 11:34, mile 2 – 9:53, mile 3 – 10:19. You can see where I started slow, found my rhythm, then got tired all by those numbers.
Not a terrific run, but I got myself out there and did it. That’s what matters and I feel good about it.
Question: Where’s your favorite place to run?
That looks like a great place to run! Love bike paths 🙂
LikeLike
It is so incredibly peaceful Amanda, like running in another world.
LikeLike
Hi there! Visiting from the friday 5 link up. That sounds like a nice trail. I have a trail near my home that is on an island and I love running there except in the summer time I tend to run into a lot of deer and that frightens me!
LikeLike
I did do a run once where I ran into some deer out east, and yeah, that scared me too.
LikeLike
My favorite place is a soccerplex near my house, where there are miles of paths. I love not having to wait at crosswalks like on normal streets!
LikeLike
That’s one of my favorite things about paths too, no lights, no traffic, no disturbances.
LikeLike