|
 Thoughts on running
by Chandra
Deciding to run a half marathon on October 2 was not a decision I made in haste. There were a few factors, mostly having to do with my pants getting smaller in my closet, a history of heart disease in the family, and my desire to keep up with a boyfriend who has been called a ski god by a regimister. There are, however, times when I question my decisions.
This is an excerpt from my blog:
Goodness, it's early, it's only 8, and Sunday morning, and why aren't I sleeping. I've been on vacation all week, and I slacked on Hal's schedule, and I feel guilty, and this run is going to happen. I've got the fancy new ipod mini for my birthday. I can't believe i'm going to be 27 next week. I can't believe it fits in the super small pocket in my running shorts... listening to a new version of the gambler by mike doughty. I gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run. oh, my calf. that shouldn't hurt. it doesn't hurt. i feel fine. ok, it does hurt, and it wouldn’t if I had not slacked. it's so hot, i just have to wipe the sweat off, and run to the greenhouse. it's not that far away, it only takes me 4 minutes to drive to it. why would I run, when i can drive. what am I thinking. 13.1 miles. am i a crack head? where is all the shade, why doesn't this damn street have any trees for shade. oh. now it's bare naked ladies- you can be my yoko ono. it's nice to run with music but i think i forget my breath. was 4 miles this long last week? it wouldn't feel this long if i had run hal's schedule. i'd be cruising. i have to stop. i have to find shade. oh, breathe in, breathe out. 13.1 miles. insane. ok, i'm going again. my mom and kris are drinking coffee at home, waiting for me. i'm thirsty. i'm going to have to learn to run with water, or maybe i could stash it. like that mt dew bottle over there. oh, it has stuff in it. YUCK. i'm not that thirsty, i can't believe i thought about that. nasty. run run run. think i'm going to stop over there in that shade to stretch out the left calf. maybe i'll just turn around, and run 3.5 today. what's the big difference. listen to me. people are running 50 miles ultra marathons, and 2 hours a day for training, and I can't run 4. 13.1 egads. and now i've registered for a 10k. i've never run a 10 k. ooh, good song. Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Blues. there's a beat I can run to. right left breathe in breathe out. there's a hill coming up, it took me 3 minutes last time, maybe i can do it in less. is that another runner behind me? it is. an old guy. i think he's gaining on me. be strong. don't look down. i shot a man in reno just to watch him die, now i'm stuck in folsom prision, and time is dragging by. i made it to the top of the hill! whoo hoo. can't slow down. old guy's going to pass me.
"morning"
"morning"
he passed me. i bet he follows hal’s schedule. just 1/4 mile left. I can make it. right left breathe in breathe out. there's my house!
I'm done. where's the water? that was no problem. i feel great. 13.1 - bring it on.
I know when to walk away, and I know when to run.
|
