Saturday Running Commentary

I believe I said last week that Running Commentary Saturday would be my new weekly feature. It was this reflection that got me into my running clothes and out the door this morning, because I did NOT feel like running. For one thing, I still felt clean from last night’s shower. Who wants to get all sweaty and dirty? Oh, I know, some people do.

It was nice and cool, and a little cloudy as I set out. It had rained in the night (which was a good thing for me since I had not watered my container garden). I pondered where to run. I hadn’t run for four days due to heat, being busy and not feeling well. Four days is bad. Five would be worse. I was glad I had talked myself into it.

My legs didn’t feel too awfully unhappy for me. I turned down German Street, not in the direction of the hill up to Herkimer County Community College. I’m still rebuilding myself. I thought I’d take another day off from hills.

I saw a man and cute little dog a couple of blocks ahead of me. I like to stop running briefly to pet a dog. The dogs usually like it too. Would I catch up? I always have to laugh at myself when I see how long it takes me to catch up to a pedestrian. Who do I think I’m kidding when I say I’m running? It’s a middle-aged shuffle and some days it is slower than others. In this case, the dog stopped and sniffed enough so I was able to catch up.

“Can I pet your dog?”

“Sure, he’s friendly.” He was actually sniffing a bush at the time and paid me not the slightest bit of attention. I petted him quick, wished the man a good day and ran on.

Lots of porches for me to envy. I thought I might have an afternoon cup of coffee or tea on mine later. Few people sitting out. I saw one man leaning on the railing of an upstairs porch, watching the world. We exchanged greetings. I ran on.

Other than the dog, it was an uneventful run. I didn’t feel “Oh yeah, I can rock this,” but I didn’t feel too terrible, either. My goal is to NOT go four days without running next week, which may be problematic. I have rehearsals almost every day for Dirty Work at the Crossroads, the play which Ilion Little Theatre is doing. In fact, this blog may become All Dirty Work All The Time. I rather like that. It has a ring to it which All Harvey All The Time and All Boilermaker All The Time lacked.