Recovery Is Oh So Sweet

So today, after doing my 300 Workout, I decided to take it easy on my body and do a bit of cross-training maintenance work.
Here's what I did:
3x30 Pushup
3x30/side Bicycle Crunches
3x7 Pull Ups
Abs:
(Spartan Leg Raise x5, Hanging Knee Raise x5) x2
(Clockwork Leg Raise x6, Twisting Knee Raise) x1
Running: Easy pace; about 5 miles
For me, running has always come easy; I've usually felt this ease with virtually any distance.  This time, I decided to try something different with running.  Well, two thing actually:
Run with my Vibram Fivefingers.
Take it easy!
I am known to push myself past the point of what is considered safe.  So I focused on form, and enjoying nature and (God forbid) the music playing in my ears (hey, it's my gift to me for a job well done).
Yet I didn't find myself listening to the music much; instead, I focused on my form, and of the scene around me.  The area where I live is still suffering from Tropical Storm Irene that hit a couple of months ago.  I looked at all the trees; the river; the houses.  And I was reminded of how beautiful New England is.  It's like walking through a painting; every color is vibrant and full; every stroke of the brush done with just as much care as the next.  Nothing wasted; everything has a purpose, even if only to present beauty.
After the run, even though I ran nearly 5 miles and haven't done so in a few months, I felt rejuvenated.  To end things off, I'm going to relax and head to bed early with a good book.
Today's lesson from the workout; your workout doesn't have to be so draining; instead, it can energize you, invigorate you.  Don't waste that.