I had been going to call this one “Labored Run,” but that began to seem a trifle melodramatic. The humidity is up, up, up, and I am still not back in shape. I simply must remember that at my age, one’s body slips backward FAST. But never mind that, I had a few good things happen on this run, so here is a Monday Running Commentary for our holiday.
I almost did not run again today, because I slept in till after six, then enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee. Even after seven years at my current place of employment (how the time flies!), Monday holidays still feel like a big deal to me. Shortly after seven, I changed my mind and got into running gear. I wore my Big Sur Marathon t-shirt, for encouragement. I did not run the marathon; I have the t-shirt because I volunteered back in 1998 (what did I say about time flying?). I really would like to run a marathon one day. Maybe I can make that happen in 2019.
To begin with, it was not much fun. As I said earlier, it was humid. Oh, the humidity! (I love that joke.) Still, one must persevere. I ran up German Street to Valley Health and up the hill on the far side of that building. I felt this was a necessary effort if I am ever to get back into shape (that is, a shape other than round and puffy). I ran into the residential area I refer to as The Suburbs, knowing there were some very good hills there but making up my mind to avoid them. I would turn right here not there… oh no, there was a couple walking along with a cute little dog. I love to pet a cute little dog.
“Can I pet your dog?” I asked.
“You sure can,” the lady picked him up. “He’s a scaredy cat.”
I let him sniff my hand and petted him gently. “I love dogs.”
We wished each other a good day and I ran on. Soon I was feeling a little better about the run. My legs were not complaining at all, and my breathing was really not that bad. I saw a lady running toward me wearing a bright green Boilermaker t-shirt. Regular readers may recall that I have run the Boilermaker 15K. I thought it was cool that we were both wearing running shirts. She called a friendly good morning.
“Good morning,” I returned. “We’ve got to get out while the gettin’s good!”
“It’s still hard!” she said. I felt a little better to think she was having a hard time too, because she looked to be in marvelous shape.
My run ended up going better than I expected. I ran for 22 minutes on Saturday and missed Sunday (because I wanted to sleep in AND go to church), and did not intend to go a whole lot further than 20 minutes. Then I thought I could go a little further than 20 minutes. I would see how far I went. As I approached my street, I started thinking I could actually go for 30 minutes. All I would have to do is go past my house. It! Could! Work! (That’s a line from Young Frankenstein.)
On my street, I heard footsteps behind me. It was my new friend in the Boilermaker t-shirt!
“You’re faster than me!” I said.
“It doesn’t feel like it!”
“At least we’re out here! That’s the important thing!”
“That’s right, we get 100 percent for that!”
“Eat some ice cream later!” I called as she went past me. She agreed wholeheartedly.
As I walked down the street for my cool-down, I saw her walking towards me with a man and two dogs. I used to always walk my cool-down with Tabby. How I miss that!
When they got close enough I said, “I have got to get a dog so I can walk with him after my run!”
“Yes, the cool down!” she said.
“Get a rescue!” the man said. “Always a rescue!”
“Definitely!” I said. I WILL get a rescue.
I kept going straight down my street instead of around the block, because I saw another man walking a dog and thought I might be able to pet her (it turned out to be a her). He pulled the dog up a handy driveway and told her to sit as I approached.
“Can I pet your dog?” He said I could, and she nicely sat while I petted her. What a good dog!
So it was a not bad run. I petted two dogs, exchanged remarks with another runner, and went further than I thought I would. And I’ve already written my blog post for the day. I say it’s a good start to my holiday Monday.
