Running Commentary is back, at least for today.
I had started running again in February, but I allowed myself to be discouraged by the weather, which turned cold and snowy. And I gave in to my discouragement. This is what I reflected on partway through my run: I gave in to discouragement. It is difficult to avoid feeling discouraged at times, but we must carry on. And I don’t mean cry and carry on, but I’ve done that too.
Be that as it may, I didn’t get to run till this afternoon, largely because I had made a plan to go shopping with my sister, Cheryl. We wanted to purchase new outfits to wear when we go wine tasting next weekend (preview of coming attractions). As often happens when I try on clothes, I felt fat. But I found a wicked good bargain at a consignment store in New Hartford, NY (another preview of coming attractions).
I figured, no problem, shop in the morning, run in the afternoon. It’ll be warmer in the afternoon anyways. It was supposed to get up to almost 60. Woohoo!
When I got home it was time for lunch, so I ate. Then I remembered that HALO (Helping Animals Live Organization) was having their trash to treasures sale till four. I had to help out the kitty-cats, so I hurried down (yet another preview of coming attractions).
And was very annoyed that it was STILL cold! What’s that all about? The sun was bright, but the wind was mean. I felt very ill-used.
Still, feeling fat is some motivation. Also, there is a 5K May 4 for Spring Farm Cares I kind of said I would run in (yes, another preview of coming attractions). Feeling a little sad not to put on shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt, I found some long johns and a long-sleeved Army t-shirt that is good to run in. For one thing, it is long enough to cover my butt, which nobody needs to see.
The long johns are white with pink and blue flowers. I like to wear them under skirts. Then I can say to people, “You wanna see my underwear? Woowoo!” Lifting my skirt over one knee. Always gets a laugh.
So I set out. It wasn’t too bad in the sun. I thought I should remember this in a couple months when I’ll be trying to run entirely in the shade. Ah, perspective. At least the sidewalks were completely bare and dry. Let us always be thankful when we can.
I ran the hill by Valley Health. And said hello to a fellow in a cool cowboy hat headed towards his car. He said hi. Coming down the hill, I waved at a phone company guy in a cherry picker on his way down from doing something to the wire. He said hello. I do like to greet people.
There is a light where the street whose name escapes me (where I ran up the hill) crosses German. Would it stay red? Would it turn green? Would that big truck heading towards it wait if it did turn green? These moments of suspense add to the enjoyment of my run. The truck turned right, making the debate a moot point, and the light stayed red with no further traffic in sight.
I ran by the high school, then thought to go down the street near the athletic fields. Unfortunately, I saw a group of young people on that street near their cars (it is kind of parking area as well as a street). I thought about my flowered long johns and went another way.
My run ended up lasting 30 minutes. Since I had not run in about a month, I thought that was pretty bold. More importantly, it proved I can run a 5K. At least, at the rate I was going, it would no doubt take me longer to run five kilometers. However, if I can run 30 minutes, I can run 40. I just won’t stop.
Mohawk Valley Girl 