I actually don’t know how scattered my Saturday will be, but you know how I love alliteration. This is actually Saturday Running Commentary, which I have been wanting to bring back for some time now. I didn’t run far, I didn’t run fast, but I think I can get a few paragraphs out of it.
Of course I did not feel like running as soon as I got out of bed about 5:30 this morning. No, I didn’t party hearty last night. I fell asleep on the couch then went to bed early. Yes, I’m old, don’t judge. I had thought about getting right out, since I love beginning my run in the dark and ending it in the light. I decided to have some coffee first, comforting myself with the thought that it is fall. Days will get shorter, and I will have plenty of dark runs.
Sure enough, after a little caffeine I felt more inclined to exercise. The sun was up, but it was foggy, so I put on one of my ARMY t-shirts with the reflective decal on the back. Additionally, I revised my plans for where to run. I had wanted to go out Main Street and up a steep hill, coming out on Steuben Road. I decided to go someplace with less traffic and/or a larger shoulder. True, there isn’t always a lot of traffic on Steuben on a Saturday morning, but some people really like to gun it up that hill. I like to give myself every advantage. Accordingly, I ran down German Street in the direction of Herkimer College.
However, as I ran I felt not up to tackling that hill. I have not run it since before the Boilermaker 15K. I mostly like to run it so that I can post on Facebook that I did and impress my friends. I thought I could save it till Sunday, when I usually increase my running time by the recommended 10 percent. I ran up the hill by Valley Health and into the residential area I call the suburbs. I knew I would find some major and minor hills there. I want to start running more hills, to build myself up, but I really felt like sticking with the minor ones this morning.
I hoped to run on different streets from the last time I ran in the area, but of course I could not remember where I turned, so I just picked a street. I saw a man in his front yard with a very cute little puppy. I think she was a yellow lab. They were apparently having a business meeting, but the pup looked as if he wasn’t quite sure what he was supposed to do.
“Can I pet your dog?” I asked.
“Sure,” he said. “She might nip you; she’s only eight weeks old. Her name is Sandy.”
Sandy jumped up eagerly while I petted her. She didn’t nip me, but she licked my hand and in general acted like a sweet, friendly pooch. The man and I wished each other a good day, and I returned to my run. As I did, I thought of the title for today’s post. Just now I think maybe some of you thought I went running in the sand. That would be nice, but I know of no handy beaches around here.
My run was not bad. My legs felt pretty OK, with a few twinges in my knees and one bunion. I was puzzled by the bunion’s pain, since it is not supposed to rain before next Wednesday. I realized my breathing felt fine. This delightful state of affairs deteriorated towards the end of the run, but I kept up for a full 36 minutes, which is how long I ran last Sunday. I feel sure I will be up to forty minutes tomorrow, yes!
As I finished my run, I saw a neighbor and her sweet dog, Rocky, out walking. I was happy to meet them on my cool-down walk. Around the corner, I met and petted another nice dog. I do love to pet a dog. As I continued my walk, I reflected that I am now in 5K shape. I ran for 36 minutes; I can run a 5K in 36 minutes. And if I can’t run it in 36 minutes, by the time I am 36 minutes into a 5K, I can certainly finish. Now, to find a 5K nearby…
Mohawk Valley Girl 