Running makes me feel so alive

The last few weeks haven't been my best when it comes to running as I've struggled with my heart rate to such an extent, I was beginning to wonder if there was an issue!  Where I live is hilly and trying to keep a low heart rate isn't easy especially when I'm not "race fit" but I've no reason to be so I should cut myself some slack.
My weekly distance has reduced as has the number of runs in the week.  I have deliberately ran on flatter courses to allow my HR to stay lower but there's no logic to it - it's frustrating.  Yesterday I had a lovely run despite the wind and rain - I felt so alive running at a reasonable pace and I ignored my HR.  While it was still higher than my target, it has come down and it was a fabulous run - I loved it and that was my message in my last blog.  Go enjoy your training, it should never be a drag and we're so lucky to be able to do it.  You only really appreciate it when you're ill or incapacitated and today a FB memory popped up from 2 years ago where I was starting to walk a mile after my hernia operation.  A timely reminder
I've have a confession that this weekend was a bit boozy.  Friends for dinner on Friday and Saturday night meant I was a bit fuzzy headed when I woke this morning.  A "hangover walk" of 6.5km helped clear my head but despite a low heart rate during the walk, Garmin was telling me to take 48 hours recovery!  Garmin doesn't know my coach!! I ignored that and in the afternoon did a gym session then headed out for a run with  my pal Stu.  We headed into the Cathkin Braes which is a bit lumpy and ran nearly 12 km.  Cutting through the trees in the Big Wood with the bed of autumn leave under our feet was really special.  One of those runs that stands out as special because we could have kept running all day. Running definitely makes me feel alive and the sooner I can get back into the mountains the better because that really is a "rarified atmosphere" which is so special.  If you find something that makes you feel alive, go do it!