Day 25 - Running Au Naturel

This morning I took the big leap.  It was about 65 degrees. The sun was just coming up. I stood on the deck of the condo near Vermilion on the shores of Lake Erie. I  looked out on a lake that was almost glass like all the way across the northern horizon.  Running "au naturel" seemed like such a good idea.

No, not that.  The picture below is of world class marathoner Ryan Hall a couple years ago from the ESPN Body Issue.  But if you honestly thought it might be me, well then, bless you!

I'm talking about I didn't wear a hat, sunglasses, watch, IPod, headphones, or socks on my run this morning and it was great.  My attire was a running shirt, shorts, and running shoes.  On a beautiful morning with only the early morning shade from tree lined country roads as my protector against my arch nemesis known as "The Big Fireball in the Sky," I was safe.  I only needed four miles for the day.  I did four and a half. I heard birds singing and rustling in the trees.  I heard the sounds quite clearly of near and distant trains.  The early morning sounds of cars on State Route 2 near one of my treasured country roads were more noticeable to me than ever before.  Even the calming gentle rhythms of the streams I passed on my run made me feel even more alive.  I heard the sound of my feet as they touched the payment.  I was so aware of my surroundings. Even for somebody who doesn't really know farm crops, I could tell as I past a corn field that this is really good looking corn on the way. The whole holistic running experience this morning was a great idea.  I was one with my environment.  I'll have to do it again, soon.  Don't worry.  I won't go Ryan Hall on you.  But I will always give it my best effort.....naturally.