I had a plan today. I was going to come home from work, put a load of laundry in the washer, fold laundry while it washed, then go running while it was in the dryer. Then I would make a Running Commentary blog post. I boldly typed in the headline, “I Implemented My Plan,” but in fact, I have not accomplished the last part of my plan, the blog post. We’ll see how that goes.
There were three laundry baskets plus a pile of clean laundry in our second bedroom, waiting to be folded and put away. I know some of you industriously fold your laundry as soon as it emerges from the dryer. I don’t need to hear about that, nor about how easy it really is to do so, how much better it would be for the clothes and my self-esteem, these benefits could be mine if only I exercised the slightest bit of self-discipline… I guess I get a little defensive about these things.
Where was I? Ah yes, out on the road, running, while my laundry dried. I had not gotten all the clean stuff folded, but I made a good enough dent in it to feel I had accomplished something. Now for a good long run, to progress toward my Boilermaer 15K and weight loss goals.
It was a warmer day than the last couple of times I ran. Additionally, I worked a full day. I have learned that running after a day at work is not nearly as fun as running first thing on a day off. However, one cannot always run under ideal circumstances. I made do.
I thought I should run some sort of hill, since I had not run a good one on Sunday’s run (I took Monday off). But would I be able to cross German Street and get to a good hill? Traffic was against me. I immediately felt tired (it is Tired Tuesday, after all) and started thinking of all kinds of good reasons to make it an easy, no-hill run. Then I found a break in traffic. Woo-hoo! Hills it is!
After considering the hill I ran Saturday (immediately rejected that idea), the hill by Valley Health, the hill up to Herkimer College, I thought perhaps the back way up to the college would be OK. However, as I approached Brookfield Park (previously known in this space as the Unknown Park), I decided to run through the park and into the path in the woods. I would come out on the back road to the college. Once I got to the college, if I really felt ambitious by then, I could continue up Reservoir Road, thus going uphill for a very long time. On the way back down, I could stop at the spring and get a drink. Now I had another plan I could implement!
Immediately on entering the park I started uphill. Oof. I tried to distract myself by composing my blog post in my head. This is where I had that argument with the imaginary readers who fold their laundry right away. I think I was a little more articulate in my head, demolishing their logic and putting them firmly in their fussy, tidy, self-disciplined little place. Of course I don’t remember my words, but let’s pretend they were brilliant. We’ll pretend some of your words you can’t remember are brilliant too. It’ll be fun.
I thought briefly of modifying my plan and running into the grassy fields, to see if there was a path up there. I ran up there one day. It’s pretty steep. Running on grass might feel good, since my running shoes have lost much of their gush (I MUST get the the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY, and get new ones ) (just to sneak in a shout-out to a local business). However, I decided to stick to the plan.
Soon I heard faster footsteps coming up behind me. I felt old, slow and shuffly, but you’ll have that. A younger woman trotted by me. We did not greet each other. She had some device strapped to her arm with a chord going to an earphone. I know some people love to run with their tunes in their ears, but I prefer to be aware of my surroundings. She soon left me far behind. When I got to the little bridge over the brook, which leads to the path in the woods, I could not see her at all. Then I saw her on the path, disappearing around a corner. Fine. Maybe she would stop later and walk. I could catch up with her and feel vindicated. That did not seem likely. This is why it is a bad idea to compare yourself with others.
It was nice running down the path. I saw a couple standing in the woods near the water. Were they fishing? I didn’t think my puffing and panting would scare the fish. I didn’t see fishing poles. Then I saw they had a couple of dogs. I waved as I went by and the lady waved back. I did not call out, because I did not want to make the dogs start barking.
At last the road started to slope up, which I knew meant I was almost at the end of it. Then it went on longer than I remembered. Isn’t that always the way? Finally I was on the road to the college. And not nearly as far along that as I had pictured. That road was not only longer than I thought, it was steeper. And I was not in nearly as good shape as I thought I was. Never mind, just keep going. Every step is a step that will be easier on the Boilermaker, I told myself. What will I tell myself after the Boilermaker? Every step is another sip of beer, I answered. That worked.
I did not continue up Reservoir Road. Finally I was headed back downhill! I got my drink. I finished my run. And look at this blog post! It is over 1,000 words! Are they 1,000 good words? I DON’T KNOW!!! But it’s Tired Tuesday. I’ll give this a quick proofread, but I will not edit for length. If you have stuck with me to the end of this, I thank you. I hope to see you all on Wuss-out Wednesday.
Mohawk Valley Girl 