It is getting a little warmer around here this week. While I know it won’t last (more snow on the weekend. Yay.), I can’t help but feel very thankful. This, for now at least, is because I was able to get out for a run. Running outside when it’s not freezing, where I can sweat from the heat of the sun, is what makes me feel like a runner. What it comes down to is I like dried salt on my face. It’s really quite simple.
What I didn’t realize about yesterday’s run, though, is that I got a little bored even with the sun and the fifty degrees. I’m running along and I just can’t seem to get my head into it. I think about stopping, about just walking. I’m annoyed and really not feeling it. I tell myself this is okay, then I come upon a flight of stairs. It’s about twenty steps, nothing more. I stood at the bottom, looked up and thought run them. Then I did. We’re not talking Rocky-like steps here, but it really felt good. Running up and down those steps fifteen times made me feel better, it made me change it up. I needed that. It’s really quite simple.
As should be most things with running, after a while anyway. Like getting new shoes. I should know this by now, but last week when I started adding miles up on the calendar, I realized it’s been nearly six hundred miles since I’d bought new shoes. Is that even possible? That me, a runner, could forget to get new shoes? I mean, this used to be a religious practice. Every 400 miles is my limit, it’s what works for me. So no wonder my feet/knees/legs practically shouted with happiness when I ran in my new shoes today. I don’t know how I lost track of this, but I’m glad I’m back on. The running felt so much better. I mean, DUH, right? It’s really quite simple.
I guess, though, it would have really been nice to get my head into this run. It just didn’t happen. New shoes and shaking it up only took me so far. I would have liked to knock out six fabulous miles. That would have been great. I just couldn’t get there today. I think these days have their purpose, however. I mean, I’m not really one to feel guilty about having a bad run. I’d rather see the positive, that I’m out there. In the sun. Sweating. Might as well take advantage of it, right? Which is sort of what I did yesterday. Since time or pace didn’t really seem to matter, I didn’t feel the least bit guilty when I stopped on the section of the trail that goes by the lacrosse fields down at the college. It was here, after three miles of half-hearted effort and some stair running, that I took a good ten minutes out of my run to watch the men’s college lacrosse team score a couple goals. After all, I’m just a girl. I couldn’t help it. It’s really quite simple.
Danielle says:
Ooo…nice…boys playing sport!!
I’m really bad with my shoes, but then I’m not sure that I have problems even when they have more miles on them. I still occasionally run in my first pair of running shoes…well, no, it’s been a while since I ran in them since I limit them to runs of no more than 3 miles and my shortest run these days is 4…new shoes are fun though.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Amy says:
There are no bad runs - just runs when you choose to do whatever you want. Enjoy the new shoes!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:26 am
anne says:
Its interesting because you keep pushing yourself and then beating yourself up but seriously its been months since we’ve read about you enjoying running. Why push? Why not do something else for a few weeks and then go back to it? Why make yourself “miserable”?
March 19th, 2008 at 8:53 am
anne says:
(I know you know that my comment was meant in the most positive of lights!)
March 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
girlgoyle says:
How is it that I always find an ulterior motive NOT to run? Waaaah! I’ll never be a runner!
March 19th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
backofpack says:
Some runs it just isn’t there. Luckily for me, my OCD tendencies kick in and force me to finish. It happens every single time! I don’t know why. Anyway, it’ll come together again soon.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Nicole says:
We all have good days and bad. you got out there and did it and then you took a break. running is about you and only you. glad to hear you don’t feel guilty - sometimes I feel guilty. Oh well. Happy running.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:55 am
barbara bruederlin says:
You did the stairs 15X? It just about kills me to do the 3 storeys at work, but maybe that has more to do with the dark smelly narrow stairwell. At least that’s what I tell myself.
March 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Dawn says:
Life IS quite simple isn’t it?
March 20th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Essentially Me says:
It’s ALWAYS about the shoes.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Bre says:
I’m consistently impressed with how much grit you have. How hard you’re able to push yourself. How you never seem to run out of drive.
And those boys? Yeah, that’s QUITE simple indeed!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
angie says:
keep it up! those days definitely have their purpose…you are still doing your heart good.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:11 am
JACC says:
You’re boy crazy.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Josh says:
Nothing wrong with some retail therapy.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am