Too Beautiful Not To Run

I was going to take a rest/recovery day yesterday since I had a noon haircut and highlights at Posh Salon.  Waffling between doing a couple of errands and running at Wash Park....the run won.  It was just too beautiful of a day not to enjoy a little time outside.

So off I went on an easy 30 minute run before my hair appointment.  Wish I could have gone longer but that was all the time I had.

So much for the rest day!  Running in the park was way more fun.

I also got in some stretching for my hamstring - yes it's still bothering me - and enjoyed a nice 30 minute walk with my dog.

Why I Love Walks in the Park

It's windy, but sunny and warm in Denver today.  So the perfect day to head to my favorite park, Wash Park.  I got in a 2.5 mile run then my friend Natalie Tysdal, who works with me at Fox 31/CW 2 joined me.  We walked for about 3 miles and just had the best time.  When you walk and talk with friends, the time just flies.

I use my runs to clear my head, brainstorm ideas, and work through projects.  Usually my run time is just me and my iPod pounding the pavement one step at a time.  It's my check-out time.

Yes I'm a runner, but I'm also a walker.  My mom has always been a big walker.  One of my favorite things to with her is a post dinner walk around the neighborhood.  So walking with friends is a shear delight for me.  Just like today, some of my best conversations have happened on walks.  Here's why - when you are walking and chatting you lose the distractions of everything else.  It's truly one-on-one time.  That is precious time to me spent with friends.

So my advice - give a gift to a friend and yourself.  Make a walk date instead of happy hour, lunch, or dinner.  It's a gift because you're doing something good for yourself and giving the precious gift of time together.

Later this afternoon, when I should have been working on taxes, I couldn't pass up taking my dog for a walk in the park.  It was windy but with temperatures in the low 70s for the first time since October 31st, I just couldn't pass up getting in another mile in the park.  

Windy Workout At The Park

Today I headed over to my favorite park in Denver, Wash Park.  I didn't get there until mid-afternoon because I'd dived into some projects I needed to work out.

By the time I got there the winds had already started picking up so it turned into a warm, windy workout for me.  The park was absolutely packed!  I loved seeing so many walkers, runners, cyclists, and even in line skaters and tennis players.  It's just fun to people watch as you go around the park loop.  The most unusual thing I saw was a group jousting with metal helmets on but no body armor.  The cutest was a spotted puppy that was trying to figure out how to walk on leash but got completely tangled up in it's owners feet.

I ran the first lap, getting in the 2.6 mile loop.  My knees were a little achy today and my left toes were really hurting but I still made it around.  Decided to power walk a second loop so I could just enjoy the 65 degree weather, the wind, the park, and the people.

Run in the Park

I didn't have much time but so needed to get in a run.  I needed a clear my head, de-stress kind of run.  I managed to take advantage of a beautiful day and get in a quick run in between work and my haircut and highlights appointment.

I had a great 2.6 mile run at Wash Park.  Wish I could have stayed in the park longer but that was all I had time for.