It was beautiful in Ohio today! The sun was bright and the temps were in the mid-40s with almost no breeze. I couldn’t wait to get home to walk.

My original plan was to head to Antrim Park and do 4 laps around the lake. I was a little worried that by the time I drove there I wouldn’t have time to walk as far as I wanted since it starts to get dark a little after 6. I don’t feel safe near Antrim in the dark.

At the last minute I decided to walk to the library instead. That way I wouldn’t be wasting time driving to a starting location and if it started to get dark on my way home, I would feel fairly safe on the busy street that leads to my neighborhood.

Temps were in the mid-40s when I left the house. I was chilly and my hands were cold, but I refused to go back home to add layers or gloves. I wanted to work hard enough I would get overheated.

On the way to the library, I decided to do two laps of the park for a total of 4.4 miles walked. Halfway through the first lap, I decided the sun was setting too fast and I would do just one lap. Being the decisive person I am, I changed my mind again — as I finished that lap I decided to do the second one.

As the sun got lower, so did the temperatures. My hands were pretty cold even though my core was warm and I was sweating under the jacket.

I picked up the pace and my heart rate was well over 150. Though it was a much harder effort than I have been walking lately, it didn’t feel like I was working too hard. It felt very comfortable.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long at any of the traffic lights, so I felt I was able to keep a good pace.

So, I walked the 4.4 miles in 1:05, 2 minutes faster than I walked the same route Sunday! Even with stopping a little for lights, my average pace was 14:46. My fastest loop was at a 13:24 minute mile! Not bad at all.

Though I am glad I was walking at a pretty good pace, and my IT bands felt great, the highlight of the day was walking in the sun. It has been so gray in Ohio, I really needed it! Because I was out, I will be much better able to deal with whatever grayness the day has to offer tomorrow.
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Mile 1 – 17:01 (Traffic lights.)
Mile 2.2 – 16:11 (13:29 per mile pace.)
Mile 3.2 – 16:05 (13:24 per mile pace.)
Mile 4 – 16:22 (Traffic lights.)

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