I felt sick to my stomach this morning, so I did not feel like going running. However, I’ve found that sometimes the counterintuitive thing is the right thing to do (OK, why is my computer underlining “counterintuitive,” one of my favorite words by the way. I looked it up in Webster’s, it is so spelled right!) (OH, computer wants me to hyphenate it, counter-intuitive. Well, I’m not going to, so there.)
Where was I? Ah yes, running, although my body seemed to be telling me not to. Oh well, my body is a well-known lazy bum, as is my mind on many occasions. Additionally, I wanted to work up a good sweat so a shower would feel extra good. So I got ready to go. No worries about being cold, as we’re getting a last little bit of summer before the equinox. Oh, anybody who is going to screech, “TMI!” if I mention bras, don’t read the rest of this paragraph, because you know I don’t want to hear that. I took the unprecedented step of wearing three sports bras. The first two I put on did not feel secure enough, and I was too lazy to take them off and start over (others who wear D cups or above will understand).
It was grey and foggy out. I like fog. It’s so mysterious. I headed down German Street toward Valley Health. That is about the only hill I am up to these days, but I hope to build myself back up. As I slowly made my way up, I reflected that at my age I can’t just jump on and off the running wagon. It takes much less time to get out of shape and a lot longer to get back in. By the time I reached the top of the hill I was seriously considering bagging the running and switching to walking. Ah, long leisurely walks. How pleasant would that be? Other people stay in great shape by walking. That could be me. Then I thought of a few of my friends that run and felt that I really am not ready to quit that club just yet.
I had originally meant to run immediately back down the hill and around the sidewalks nearer my house. Then a street that went downhill and ended in a cloud of fog beckoned me. Of course I knew what was there: it is a housing development I have run through many times. Still, it felt like more of an adventure to turn. I ended up not going down the hill (which I would only have had to run back up) but took the next left. I admired some of the houses. Many were ranch houses build into hills so the garage was in the basement. That would be handy.
There are some major hills in that area (I call it “the suburbs,” although I know that is not strictly accurate), but I managed to avoid them. Eventually I made my way to Lou Ambers Drive so I could stop and get a drink at the spring. I looked up the hill to Herkimer College and sighed. Another week, maybe two, and I might be ready for that one again. The spring water tasted good, but I still had a ways to go to meet my goal of 36 minutes (I did 33 last week). I’m sure those times don’t seem very impressive to some of you. Well, it’s where I’m at, I might as well own it.
I ended up running faster as I neared the 36 minute mark, because I wanted to get all the way home and not run for more than 36 minutes (hey, don’t judge, I was tired!). I almost ran too fast and had to go by the house or run up and down the driveway a couple of times (don’t judge, but you can laugh at me if you like, I do).
As I finished my cool-down walk, I realized I was still sick to my stomach. At first I thought, so much for the counterintuitive solution. Then I thought, hey, I’m no worse off. My stomach may still have been upset and this way, I got a run in. And now I’ve gotten my blog post written. On the rest of my Sunday chores! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend.
