Good things happen all at once. Just when this blog ought to become All G.R.A.V.E. All The Time, I find it also must become All Fireman 5K All The Time. Yes, this Saturday, Oct. 14 I shall run a 5K in the morning and act in a murder mystery in the evening. I know, that’s not a huge lot on my plate (I know YOU probably do more before breakfast) (you know who you are), but you know how easily I get flustered. I just got back from running and must study my lines for tonight’s rehearsal. However, I shall first attempt a Running Commentary post in order to avoid Wrist to Forehead Sunday later.
It was pouring rain when we got up this morning. I was guiltily happy to postpone my run. I even wondered if the rain would keep up enough to make an indoor run on the mini-tramp eligible. For one reason, I never finished watching the John Barrymore silent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that I started watching the last time I ran on the mini-tramp. However, the rain soon stopped. When I stepped out on the front porch to get the newspaper, I noticed how muggy it was. Yikes! I hate a muggy run, and it’s October, for heavens’ sake! However, after Steven left for work shortly before nine, I suppressed my feelings of ill-usage and got into running clothes.
I sought out the loosest shirt I could find, which was a large, low-cut, sleeveless t-shirt I wear when I go swimming (for a bathing suit, I wear spandex shorts, a sports bra, and that shirt to cover my fat gut). My sports bras showed, so I made sure I wore colors that didn’t clash with light pink: hot pink and grey. I know I will never look like anything but a plodding, overweight middle-aged lady when I run, but at least my colors are coordinated. I further decided to run with a bottle of water in my hand. I felt desperately thirsty by the end of yesterday’s run. Also, I planned to run to Herkimer College, which would bring me right near the spring, for a re-fill.
Oh, it was warm and muggy. There were puddles to dodge around. I had taken the precaution of wearing an older pair of running shoes, so that was all right. Still, I don’t need all that dirty water splashing up my legs, so I dodged. I felt tired and ploddy, so I decided to run up to the college the back way. It is longer but less steep. Also, it is in a wooded area, so there might be shade. I treasure shade. By the way, I do not care if ploddy is a word or not, it is how I felt.
As I approached the road I wanted, I noticed a new sign saying “Do Not Enter.” Score! I could feel like a rebel! The little sign below said, “Authorized vehicles only,” so I figured it was only closed to vehicular traffic. I thought they would not object to a ploddy, overweight, middle-aged lady, especially on a Sunday. As I plodded up the road, moving just fast enough that I could pretend to myself it was a run, I saw they are doing work on it. I made a note to myself to keep running this way on occasion, so I can mark their progress.
My body was not loving this run. However, one must persevere, especially when one has a 5K to run in less than a week (yikes!). Actually, you can ignore that parenthetical comment; I have no reason to “yike,” I am in plenty good shape for a 5K. I don’t expect to get a good time, but I feel sure I will have a good time, if you see what I mean. As I often observe, one must push through the bad runs to get to the good ones. This run was not horrible, at least, not yet. I continued on up Reservoir Road, which is uphill but more of a gentle slope. I still struggled a little, but you’ll have that. Finally I was crossing over and starting on my way down.
And that was when it got horrible. The sun had come out and was reflecting off the wet pavement like a wide, bright beam of headache. If I had been wearing my polarized sunglasses and wearing a hat with a brim, I’d have been fine. As it was, yikes (here I have good reason to “yike”)! Still, I didn’t see anything I could do but keep going and hope for a cloud. Twice I was able to in the grass and take advantage of the shade offered by a row of trees. Ah, I love to go off-road on occasion (I know some people mean something different than that, and I like those runs too). At last I got to Lou Ambers Drive, where the trees offered some shade.
Of course the shade did not last. However, a handy cloud gave some temporary relief, and as always, I tried to count my blessings. Another blessing is the wide shoulder on that road, because a couple of cars were coming up it. This is why I like to run on sidewalks when possible. Occasionally the wind would pick up, and that was another blessing. It was not enough to dry my sweat, but I was sweating profusely. Sorry if that gives you an unfortunate mental image (but not real sorry).
I ran for 44 minutes, which was last week’s time. Normally I try to up it by 10 percent each week, but today I must recruit my energies for this afternoon’s G.R.A.V.E. rehearsal. Additionally, it should take me less than 44 minutes to run the 5K, so I can feel confident about that. If the headache the bright sun gave me goes away (can’t say the sun never gave me nuthin’), my life will be perfect.
For more information about the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K, visit their Facebook page. For more information on A GR.A.V.E. Murder, visit its Facebook event. And Happy Sunday, everyone.
