How about a Sunday Running Commentary to avoid a Wrist to Forehead Sunday later on. At least, I will avoid a post about one. As a worker at Monday through Friday employment (most of the time), although I appreciate Friday, I confess to some amount of angst on Sunday. As I like to say in a philosophical tone of voice, you’ll have that.
I did not run yesterday and thought I might not run today. For one reason, lots of rain is predicted, and Steven informed me it had already started by 5:30 when he got up to pee (we slept in to an almost unheard of 7 a.m.!). I grumped downstairs for a cup of coffee on stiff knees and feet (yes, I’m old), feeling contented at the thought of my husband having the day off, too. After coffee, I was hungry, but Steven wanted to do the dishes before fixing breakfast. As I was contemplating having a piece of toast to hold me over, I realized it was not currently raining.
“You do the dishes while I go for a short run,” I suggested. I noted that it was 53 degrees out, so I felt secure that my sinuses would not become irritated (often a concern for me). I brushed my teeth, washed my face, got into running gear, and got myself going.
I crossed German Street and ran up the steeper side (it is kind of a slanted street), heading for the hill by Valley Health. As I ran, I thought I would lead my Running Commentary post with the reflection that I was NOT going to run in any kind of 5K on Thanksgiving Day, as I had threatened to do in a recent running post. To keep on schedule for that, I would have to run for 30 minutes. I wasn’t going to run for 30 minutes! I had just taken three days off of running (go ahead and judge me if you like)! I was probably going to run for 20 minutes and have done. Maybe 20 plus a few. At least I was going to do the hill.
It sure took a long time to get to the hill. This was more of a plod than a run. Never mind, at least I was doing it. Maybe my body would feel better as I went. Only that did not seem likely at the time. The hill was not fun, but I managed it without having a VCD attack (that is Vocal Chord Dysfunction, a breathing problem I have). Once I got down the hill, I felt a little better about things. I could rock this run. Well, maybe not rock, but at least continue. Twenty minutes? Maybe 25. 27, same as I did last weekend. Oh, just keep running.
I ran up and down a couple of streets, keeping an eye on the time passing and wondering how long I would go. My legs didn’t feel too bad, but my breathing wasn’t so great. I concentrated on taking deep, slow breaths, holding each breath in for a second or two before exhaling. I took note of people’s Halloween decorations, to keep myself in a cheerful frame of mind. Lots of ghouls, nice. A few pumpkins. Oh, one house that had a magnificent display last year was bare. I think it is a rental property, which would explain things.
My run ended up lasting for 30 minutes. When I was around 13 minutes I wondered if I would; when I hit 16 minutes it seemed likely, and when I got to 18 I was sure. At the bottom of my street, I saw I was at 27 minutes and picked up the pace, so I would not go over 30 minutes. It felt pretty good running a little faster. I thought I should do this more often. Perhaps I will. And the Turkey Trot 5K? Still on the table, I guess.
I felt happy as I walked my cool-down around the block. Now I feel ready to sit my butt on the couch, crochet and watch Halloween movies, yes! I hope to see you all on Mental Meanderings Monday. Or perhaps I will have a Monster Movie Monday, just to mix things up a little. Tune in tomorrow and see!
