Two great runs!
be ascared but don’t be afraid - D. O’Connor
Alongside thinking about my larger goals for 2005, I had been thinking for awhile about my goals for running. The most obvious being: run farther, run faster. I am down with that and definately want to accomplish some quantifiable improvement in my running over the next year. Most times, I have gotten in my own way when it comes to improvement - I spend my energy comparing myself to other people, berating myself for not measuring up, and pretty much sucking the joy out periodically when I aspire to something that I am SURE I can’t reach. Despite these machinations, I have found that I have a love for running that even I can’t quash. Realizing that, in itself, feels great!
On Saturday (New Year’s Day) - and this is so silly but it’s so me - I was busy enough making lists of all the things that I was going to do that I wasn’t sure if I would have time to run. Pretty funny considering that much of the stuff I was contemplating was regarding running. Fortunately, I do have a minimal ability to recognize the absurd and slapped on my running stuff. Temp was above freezing (36F) and the snow had all been washed away by rain the day before (very weird for this area). I went to a trail that I had not been to before, it runs right alongside the Barge Canal and seems almost silt/sand overlay rather than dirt/gravel - very soft but with a firm base. It was nice running along side the canal, and the nicest thing was that there were no mile markers and I had no sense of distance (Garmin stayed home). I ran out for 15 minutes and then ran back and ended up within a few steps of where I started within the 2nd 15 minutes. My pace was what felt good at the moment - slow when I needed it and faster when I wasn’t paying attention. How far I went in 30 minutes I have no idea. And it was great!
Sunday was much similar except that the temp was 26F and there was a biting wind. Freezing rain was expected so I figured to get out beforehand. I wore the silk long john top and balaclava that my santa got me for Christmas and they were perfect with a polartec top and fleece hat. Should have worn the silk long john bottoms even though the track pants are lined, just for a little extra. Went into the wind headlong and that was a little hard but after a bit, especially with the balaclava, it was ok. The upshot is that, again, I didn’t pay attention to distance or pace and really just acknowledged loving the run - not just after - but all during it. I was working at something between comfortable and just a touch above, but I wasn’t competing with my watch or myself or any other imagined competitors and so the work somehow didn’t feel painful. So through burgeoning mental discipline or subtle mental trickery, perhaps I have figured out a way to outsmart my critical self.
Ultimately this year I have a very tangible goal - to run the Boilermaker on July 10th. So eventually I am going to have to start paying attention to distance, if not speed, and train properly. I mailed my registration and entrance fee today. I’m kind of scared that I did that but it had to be done! I also intend on meeting up with the local running club tomorrow for their run even though I am sure I don’t run as far or as fast as any of them. I am scared. I am not afraid.
Comment by Jon in Michigan
Monday January 03 2005 @ 8:33 pm
Hey good for you, Lara! All the training and planning can spoil the hell out of running. I’m finding that leaving alot of the gadgets at home has helped make it more enjoyable (or as best it can when its freezing). Still holding onto my Forerunner. I haven’t had the strength to give it up yet.
When you mention the canal, it reminds me of home. I grew up along the Mohawk River near Schenectady, and the canal runs through the Schenectady Yacht club (or used to). All the old locks are there, some filled with dirt now, and some used for lifting boats in and out of the water. I love the old canal.