Wednesday afternoon I went running with the intention of making a running commentary post. I’ll say it was the run that tired me out too much to make said post (there may have been other factors, but as I often say, explanations are so tiresome). Therefore I sit at work (BEFORE my shift, not when I am supposed to be working), pen in hand (my Tablet is at home), trying to remember the run.
I put my smart phone in the arm band, trying to put it on so that it would NOT rub part of my arm raw (I am so incompetent at these thing) and set out. I had a vague idea of running up the hill to Herkimer College, but my body was definitely not on board with the plan. Nevertheless, I persisted.
I have signed up to run the MIni-Maker at Copper City Brewing in Rome, NY on Sept. 13. Before signing I exchanged a few messages and comments with the venue and the guy that mapped the route, wondering if it was right for me, or I was right for them. They emphasized that I had to train. Well, I have been training right along, but I am not any faster of a runner than I have been at any time these past few years. They said I could start early, since they want to wrap it up in two hours or less.
With all this in mind, I thought I should perhaps train a little harder. That is, to not let myself off the hook on a weekday run (as I often do) but to make a good length of time on a challenging course. Hence, the hill to the college. Of course I waffled and weaseled but ended up running what I call the kick-butt way up to the college: by the dormitories. You run up a steep hill, through a parking lot on a more gradual upslope, repeat two or three times (I can’t remember how many, but it seemed like a lot), with the last steep part pretty steep and fairly long. Or so it seemed to me. I certainly did a bit of huffing and puffing along the way.
I ran the back way down to the village. This is currently closed to traffic, so I got to feel all rebellious. Additionally, I entered where it said, “Do Not Enter,” around a traffic triangle on my way there, and turned left at a “No Left Turn” at the end. We middle-aged ladies have to get our kicks somehow.
My Map My Run app had dutifully told me when I was at one mile. My rate was less than 14 1/2 minutes! Score! It is not a great time, but it is a little better than previous runs. I picked up speed going downhill, thinking to make further improvements, which I did. I thought I should try to run three miles, which would take about 45 minutes, less if I kept up my pace. I have to perception of distances. All I can do is keep running and let the app track me. I considered my options. Up this street? Down that one?
I ran through the high school parking lot, down Bellinger Avenue to Graham, then down Church to Bellinger Street (yes, we have a Bellinger Avenue and Street in our little village; don’t get me started!). I went by the house to the apartment building two doors down, then up their driveway. I saw a lady I know sitting out front. We greeted each other and she praised my running.
I felt pretty happy, because I ended up doing 3 miles in 43 minutes. I don’t think I can run 15K in less than two hours, but dammit I will get as close to that as I can!
Mohawk Valley Girl 