I had originally thought to follow Two-Mile Tuesday with Three-Mile Thursday, but I was skeptical of my ability to pull it off. True, I ran four miles last weekend, but that was first thing in the morning not last thing after an eight hour day at work. Then I thought, Thirty-Minute Thursday. It sounds even better, it is still longer than what I ran Tuesday, and I could totally do it. At least, I could probably do it.
I usually let myself off the hook on these week-day runs. I feel they are really just to keep my hand in (feet, really). Weekends are the time for improvement. However, I feel I will improve moreso on the weekends if I do a little better during the week. That Boilermaker 15K is getting closer!
After a little puttering around the house, I got into running clothes and set out. It was warm and sunny. Maybe I should run some hills. But I also had to worry about traffic. German Street in Herkimer, NY is pretty busy in the late afternoon. I ran down the sidewalk looking for a place to cross the street. I thought maybe the hill by Valley Health Services would be a good goal.
The three-way stop at Caroline Street provided my opportunity to cross the street. I soon decided to run into Brookwood Park. For one reason, there would be plenty of shade. I could run along the path through the woods that comes out on the back way to Herkimer College. I assured myself that I was in no way obligated to run the rest of the way uphill to the college.
As I ran, I tried to keep myself from looking at my Garmin too often. When I did, I would do the math and figure out what fraction of 30 minutes I had done. Six minutes was one fifth. How much was a quarter? A third? Thus I keep my mind occupied so I don’t think too much about how I would really rather stop running.
The path through the woods was nice. I like looking at the trees, and the ground is somewhat soft under my feet. I just have to be careful of uneven surfaces and things I could trip over. I am pretty clumsy.
The uphill portions almost defeated me, but I persevered. Eventually I was running on pavement again, and running down hill. Phew! It was an effort to get to 30 minutes, but I made the effort and was glad I did.
I don’t know if my effort at a blog post is equally successful, but I can hope at least some readers found it reasonably entertaining. In another couple of weeks, this blog may become All Boilermaker All The Time. I fear I am already making myself a little tiresome at work by talking about it. Oh well, at my age, I need all the encouragement I can get.
Mohawk Valley Girl 