Don't Get Caught In The Dark

On Sunday I ran outside for the first time since August and it was amazing! I run on the treadmill at the gym most of the time. I actually don't mind running on the treadmill, what I do mind though is how hot it is in this gym! I think it really does effect my running too, I notice that my heart rate is so much higher in the gym on that treadmill than it is when I'm running outside. My hair is always wet and my forehead is dripping by the time I'm done.

Sunday I went to the W&OD trail to run. I wanted to run 5 miles so I figured I'd run 2.5 miles out and then turn around and run back. It was 47 degrees out when I started and I felt great. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts. My hands were cold at first but then eventually I couldn't feel them. I'm sure I had a smile on my face. I saw 4 deer along the trail. I noticed after the first mile and a half that it was beginning to get dark. This daylight savings time thing gets me every year. I honestly thought it wouldn't get dark till later. Well, by the time I got to my turn around point the sun had set and it was even darker. I knew that if I didn't hurry up I probably wouldn't even be able to see the trail anymore. There were a few bikes that passed me with their lights on and I'm sure they wondered how I could be so dumb and be out there running in the dark! Needless to say I began running faster and faster. When I got back to the car and looked at my splits I could see how much faster the last mile was compared to the first.

The following day someone mentioned to me that there were two reported cases of indecent exposure recently on the W&OD Trail in this area. I later read the article online and found out that one of the cases had happened the day before my run on the same trail...(creepy)Fortunately I didn't have a run in with that guy.

I am thankful that I had a good run and was kept safe. I will not make this dumb mistake again.