Today’s long run was last week’s skipped 7-miler. (Next week’s is a 10K, so instead of that, I’ll run this week’s 8-miler. All of this makes sense in my head, don’t worry.)

I’d been planning all week to run at the gym, but I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to attempt it outside. I hadn’t tried to run outside since the shin splint debacle of several weeks ago. I have been really concerned with re-injuring myself in whatever way caused that hein pain. But it was such a beautiful day outside that I decided what the hell.

I plotted out my course on the online pedometer and hit the road. It was chilly but sunny and pleasant. I felt pretty good but started to get pretty tired around mile 5. But I charged through it. It was great to see so many people out on the streets, to see the birds around the lakes, to just be outside alone with the sounds of my music rather than the loud whir of a dozen treadmills and all of the feet hitting them around me and all of the gym sweat pouring down my face. I made it through until the end, and I am tired and it was hard and my legs hurt and I’m not sure I will ever enjoy running 7 miles in a row, but my shins feel okay so far. Phew. It was a beautiful day to run outside, and I’m glad I got to do it. My boyfriend ran 18 today (!!!), which makes 7 sound like small potatoes. It sure didn’t feel like small potatoes, though.

Best song of the day: “Holiday” by Green Day. One of my favorite running songs, definitely. I hope to run next week’s long run outside also, barring any kind of shin catastrophe.