Well, I meant to make my Saturday Running Commentary post shortly after my run, but, as I pointed out yesterday, the best lame plans… So here I am, hoping I remember some of the stuff I thought as I plodded along. I was pleased with myself for running in the morning. I had thought I might do it later in the day, perhaps on the mini-tramp while watching a DVD of a silent horror movie. Then after a cup of coffee, I thought, what the hell?
It was still cool out, yet warm enough for me to wear shorts and a t-shirt. My hands got cold, but you’ll have that (that is my go-to comforting thought, “you’ll have that”). I had gone four days without running (don’t judge, unless you absolutely must be that way) (really, why should I tell somebody not to judge? Isn’t that judging somebody for being judgemental?). So I thought I may or may not go for 30 minutes, my last longest time. And certainly not run up the hill to HCCC, although I could see fog in the distance, which would have been cool to look down on. I thought the hill by Valley Health was more my speed.
As I plodded toward it, I felt I was not running well. I felt more thunky than I usually do (my computer seems to think “thunky” is not a word, but I’m sure many readers find it as descriptive as I do). No matter. I was running and I intended to continue, at least for a good 20 minutes. I made it up the hill and said good morning to a lady going to work at Valley Health. Then I saw a guy getting at the open back of his SUV, looking at several plastic bags full of stuff. He went grocery shopping, I thought. Early morning is a good time to shop. I did not say hello, because he seemed preoccupied.
After I came down the hill, I saw another person and thought I might say hello. Then he started to walk away and I saw he had a dog. I caught up with him when he paused at the corner, and he let me pet the dog. She was a nice dog. I crossed the street and ran by the high school then across the little bridge over the brook. I like that little bridge. On the other side, I met another nice dog to pet. The lady with him warned he might jump, but that doesn’t bother me. I like dogs.
A little later I saw another cute dog, but he was pooping at the time, so I did not ask to pet him. I didn’t want to interrupt his business. I was looking at my watch and wondering which streets to go down and how long to run. Eventually I headed towards Meyers Park. I like to run in Meyers Park, and it is close to my house. I was already over 20 minutes, so I was pleased enough with myself.
After running into and out of the park, I met a neighborhood dog with his person.
“Is that my friend, Rocky?” I asked.
“It is!” the lady answered. “He’s pretty dirty.”
That didn’t bother me any more than the jumping dog did. I was pretty sweaty and unclean myself.
My run ended up being 30 minutes. I felt pretty terrific as I did my cool-down walk. I will NOT wait another four days before I run again!
Mohawk Valley Girl 
I used to run. I was very fast! Now, I walk faster than I run. But, I can walk pretty fast! I have to wonder if running is such a natural state for us humans. I know a lot of people who run for exercise, but most of them hate and dread it! Power walk, for the win, I say!
Walking is probably better for you, easier on the joints. Oh, but I love to run! On the other hand, what I do is called “running” only by the most generous definition.