I thought I would avoid Wrist to Forehead Sunday with a Running Commentary. For one reason, I had a GOOD run this morning! After all those whiny posts about how much my legs hurt and I wanted to stop (but kept going), I thought it might be nice to write about a run I enjoyed.
I was not sure I would even be able to run this morning. We were out much later than usual last night, having a marvelous time. Then I could not sleep when I finally closed my book (hey, the Earl of Essex was about to get into BIG trouble with Queen Elizabeth, these things are hard to put down). However, I knew I would be glad I did it, so I got myself dressed and out the door before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.
Wanting to run uphill but tired of going up to the college, I headed for Steuben Road. That road goes up for quite a ways, then another road takes you back down, making kind of a V. I could not remember how long it was before you get to the V but seemed to think it was a ways. No matter. If I felt I was going too long, I could always turn around and run back down the way I came. It’s not my favorite way to run, but it’ll do in a pinch.
Up, up I went. Almost no traffic prior to 7 a.m. on a Sunday. I like that, especially since the shoulder on that road is not as wide as the one on Lou Ambers drive. One stretch was all woods on either side of me. I’ve seen deer there, so I kept looking. Of course, I’ve also seen deer in front yards right down in the village proper, so seeing wildlife is always a possibility on my runs. None greeted me today, though, so I enjoyed the sights of trees, a little stream, and houses when I saw them.
The run was not going badly. I didn’t feel awful. I didn’t even mind going uphill. Of course I wasn’t going very fast. I never go very fast. And time was not passing too slowly. I kept calculating in my head how long I should run uphill for, so as not to make my total run time too long. I want to improve, but doing too much too soon is a mistake.
I reached the turn pretty easily. Perhaps I am more along in my training than I had thought. I even ran by the first turn, the one that really makes a V and on to the next left, which I knew would also take me where I wanted to go.
Some of these houses are very nice. I saw some porches that just cried out to be sat on. Of course I did not stop and sit. I may do that on my own front porch or back deck later, glass of wine or beer optional. I noticed a classic sports car that needed work. I could not tell what it was (I don’t really know from cars), but I placed it in the ’60s by the lines. Maybe ’70s. My dad restores old cars. He’s worked on some real beauties.
Soon I was back down on German Street. Instead of heading for home, I crossed the street and ran down Lansing. I would run around some neighborhood streets, to make it a nice, long run. My last longest run so far this year had been 46 minutes. I thought I ought to at least equal that. Since that had increased my run time for more than the recommended 10 percent, I did not feel that I needed to go 10 percent more than 46 minutes, but a little more than 46 would be OK. I guess my training schedule is not scientifically planned. What do you want from me anyways?
I was seven or eight minutes away from my house when it happened. I started to feel terrific! This was awesome! I LOVE running! I wanted to put my hands up in the air and shout. I realized that at long last I had gotten some of those endorphins. This was GREAT! Would I get endorphins every time I ran this long? How cool would that be? Would I get endorphins while I was running the Boilermaker? If I did, I would probably go ahead and put my hands up in the air and shout. After all, why not provide a little more entertainment for my fellow runners?
My run ended up lasting for 48 minutes. My euphoria lasted all during my cool-down walk with Tabby. Ooh, I was so happy with myself. I even felt optimistic about working on my novel. In fact, I have worked on my novel.
Sorry to inject a slightly down note, but I’d just like to mention: I stated in a comment once that writing is SO much easier than running. It turns out I meant blog posts, not novels. It is much easier to run than to write novels. However, it is easier to write blog posts than to run. Just saying. I intend to keep doing all three. Happy Sunday, everyone.
