I decided about twelve times today that I would or would not run the Falling Leaves 14K in Utica, NY, on Sunday. I quite amused one of my co-workers with my dithering. One problem I had was that I was not feeling well today. How can I run a 14K when my legs feel like overcooked macaroni, I whined. Another co-worker told me there was nothing wrong with me and I should run the race. How would he know?
In any case, I knew it would be a good idea to go running after work. For one reason, I succumbed to the temptation to eat a candy bar. Somebody’s kid was selling them to raise money for some school thing. One must support youth and education, after all. I know, I could have donated the dollar and left the candy bar. In fact, I did not eat the first candy bar I purchased but saved it in my lunch box for Steve. Later on I got another and ate 3/5 of it (it had five little sections).
This is a long introduction to a Running Commentary post, but that is all right, because the run was really short. After some difficulty getting dressed (missing bicycle shorts, inadequate sports bras, you know how it goes), I set out with no great hopes of a good run.
Oh, don’t go lecturing me about how we can control our lives if we just think positively. I have started plenty of runs with sky high hopes that ended up in the metaphorical toilet. Likewise, I have started out grumpily and had a lovely time. In this case, all I can say is I did my best.
I never reached the I Can Rock This stage. However, I kept going for 22 minutes as well as my usual 10 minute cool down walk. I am thinking this is not the run of a body that is ready for a 14K. Of course I will feel differently on a weekend morning, especially if I carb up and don’t tie one on the night before. But still. When I have run the Boilermaker 15K, my body has felt better a week before the event. Could I be getting old? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!
Before making this post, I went on Facebook and onto the Falling Leaves page. I have till Thursday to register online. I could still register Saturday at the Sneaker Store in New Hartford or Sunday in Utica before the race.
Full disclosure: I looked at pictures of the starting line from previous years and wanted to cry. Can I drive to Genesee Street, find a place to park, figure out where to go, deal with running in a crowd (although it would not take long for the crowd to leave me far behind), etc., etc.?
It is difficult to properly assess my feelings on Tired Tuesday. Then again, are my feelings the important thing here? I’m afraid that whatever I decide, I will wish I had gone the other way. On the brighter side, there is always next year. In the meantime, I dither, I dither.
Mohawk Valley Girl 