Spoiler alert: I’m probably not going to trot, but I thought of that title while I was running this morning and I like it. I wondered if I would ever do another Saturday Running Commentary, and it looks like I am about to.
I had actually thought about not running today. I had an excellent run yesterday (I believe I mentioned it in yesterday’s post) and can certainly run tomorrow. Additionally, I have been getting brutal headaches on Saturdays (regardless of whether or not I tie one on Friday night) (um, I mean, I never tie one on), and I fear running in cold air makes them worse. It is cooler this weekend, real fall weather. I love it, but my sinuses are less than thrilled. However, I do not allow my sinuses to run my life. Try not to anyways.
So I decided to run. My thermostat said it was 47 degrees, two degrees above my usual cut off for shorts and short sleeves. However, since I am not in really good running shape, I put on leggings and long sleeves. I was glad I did. For one reason, as I started out, I realized it was raining. What was that all about? I didn’t hear any rain on the tin roof outside my bathroom window! I felt quite ill-used, but once I’m out there, I usually keep going. Yesterday when I started out, I realized I had left on my reading glasses instead of switching to my running glasses. I kept going for a blurry run. I remembered the running glasses today, but once they got rained on, the run was no clearer than yesterday’s. No matter. I could see well enough.
I debated running up a hill. Regular readers may recall that hills are in short supply in Herkimer, NY (where I live). I was inclined to stay off the incline (just to make a play on words). But one must run hills to train properly, especially if one wants to run a 5K in Little Falls (which I do). I was headed towards Main Street. I could go up a hill there, if only I crossed German at the four-way stop. I made a bargain with myself: if there were no cars at the intersection, I would cross. If not, I would immediately turn down Main Street. For one reason, my glasses were by now spotty enough that I could not reliably see if a driver was waving me across. There were cars. I was off the hook (don’t judge me) (oh, go ahead and judge me; I don’t run for anybody but myself).
It was not as enjoyable a run as yesterday, but it wasn’t too bad. It got better as I went along. I started out thinking if I only did 20 minutes it would be OK. My longest run lately has been 28 minutes, and I have been plateaued there for two weeks. My main goal is to do the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December. I did it last year and it was great fun. There is a Turkey Trot 5K in Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day. I could be in 5K shape by then. Well, not if I stayed plateaued at 28 minutes or, worse yet, went backwards (ooh, running backwards is a good way to get in shape, but I’m not talking about that).
Another reason I probably cannot participate in the Turkey Trot is that I plan to go to Rome to my Mom and Dad’s house for Thanksgiving. I had planned to go the night before, in case they need help getting the turkey stuffed and in the oven at 6 a.m. or whenever they need to do it. I can also peel potatoes, something I never do for myself but know how to nevertheless. Still, I have always wanted to do a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Additionally, this Thanksgiving is my birthday. I can run 5K on the day I turn 55. How cool is that? But would I even be in 5K shape if I only ran 20 to 25 minutes today? And so I debated as I ran, and that is when I came up with today’s title.
I was on my street, figuring I would at least get to 25 minutes, when I heard a voice behind me: “I thought I was the only crazy one!” It was a lady I had encountered on another run.
“I didn’t know it was raining till I set out,” I told her, “and I said, ‘Oh well, I’ve got the sports bras on!'”
“It’s raining and we’re training!” she said.
Well, that kind of inspired me, and I went around the block and ended up running for 31 minutes, an increase (at least the way I did the math) of the recommended 10 percent. I felt pretty darn pleased with myself. If I don’t make it to Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day, I will just have to trot by myself in Rome.