Runabout

If anyone follows Dean Karnazes, famed ultrarunner, you might be familiar with the term "runabout".  It's a term he derived from the Australian concept of a "walkabout", which involves traveling the outback solo in the purpose of self-discovery and awareness of the environment.  More details about the runabout can be found here:  http://dean.runnersworld.com/2010/09/runabout-2.html

For the CliffNotes version, you basically just run.  No planned courses, no timer, no workout scheme.  You just go.  When you get tired, you walk.  When you feel good, you run.  You explore.  You basically enjoy your environment.

Yesterday's workout, with the wonderful weather, seemed a good a time as any to try this concept out.  Especially since my motivation to do X number of miles at X pace was lackluster.  So I set out and just ran.  I knew that if I wanted to stop or walk that I could -- but I didn't need to.  I instead looked around and enjoyed the scenery, taking turns down whatever roads seemed interesting.  Before I knew it, I'd logged just over 7 miles (and no, I wasn't keeping track -- I MapMyRun'd it after I got home).  AND, my pace was better than it had been during my last long training run.  Maybe Dean's onto something...

Anyone have any interesting fun-run stories?