Could I be getting old? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!! In fact, I can now rub two nickels together (meaning I am 55, if that was too obscure), but that is hardly the point. The point is, it seems that when I go running after work with the intention of making a Running Commentary post, I become too tired to actually write said post. Then again, yesterday I was too tired to make a decent post without benefit of running. Now I am getting bogged down when my intention was merely to write an introductory paragraph. I did mention I am tired, did I not?
My plan is to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY, this Saturday (Dec. 8). I have been working up to running a greater distance than 5K’s, with some measure of success. Sunday I ran for 50 minutes, and the longest I’ve taken to run a 5K has been, I think, 38 and change. Mind you, I believe I can pretty much run a 5K at any time, regardless of what I have been doing, through sheer stubbornness, with which I am well supplied. It’s a question of how slow I go, how stupid I look, and how terrible I feel afterwards. OK, I will probably go slow and look stupid in any case, but one can only do so much with what nature has provided. The point is, I want to enjoy Christmas in Little Falls after the run. I think I will be good to do that on Saturday.
Sunday, when I ran so long, was an unseasonably warm day. This Saturday is supposed to be cold: mid-20’s, I believe. Today was about that, so I thought it would be a good idea to run. For another reason, I wanted to do some laundry and it is just so handy to throw a load in before I start the run. During even a 20-minute run, after my cool-down walk, the wash is usually done. This is pretty much the extent of my ability to multi-task.
I had on leggings and a winter running top. I added a hat and my reflective vest. I wanted the reflective vest mostly because it is another layer and has a handy pocket for a couple of tissues. However, I knew it would also be a good idea if I decided to run in the road at all. As it turned out I mostly stayed on the sidewalks, but it is best to be prepared.
Ooh, it felt cold. I wondered if I should have added a sweatshirt to the ensemble. No matter. I would no doubt warm up as I went. I did, to a point. The other advantage of my age is that I can pretty much count on getting a hot flash sooner or later. Usually the hot flash makes me too hot, but at least it is a change in my discomfort. Additionally, I can laugh at myself for always having something to complain about.
I ran for 25 minutes, which I considered OK. I felt the important thing was to run at all. Of course, the other important thing (to me, anyways) is to make a good blog post. I’m afraid I have not said a whole lot about this run. I like making the kind of Running Commentary post where I give almost a blow by blow of where I ran and what I saw. Unfortunately, today’s run was quite uneventful. Or perhaps I was too cold to notice anything.
As a matter of fact, I still have not warmed up, after a hot shower and a warm dinner. No matter. I ran. I blogged. I made it through Tuesday. On with the rest of the week!