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I am not the most patient of people.
And, did I mention, I hate the cold?
This morning started auspiciously. Sun shining, in that way where, while still half-asleep, you mistake January for June.
Ran out to meet Gorgeous at a civilized hour: didn't have to meet her until 9:00am.
Ran a relaxing loop of the park. My calf didn't hurt and I wasn't as tired as I've been on runs recently.
Plus, the company and conversation made the loop go quickly.
And, affirmation!
"Did you notice", I remarked to Gorgeous at the end of the loop, before heading to coffee, "that even though we were going slowly, we were still passing people? Doesn't that make you realize how far you've come?"
Ok. More of a self-affirmation. She didn't really understand what I was talking about.
Not all of us were track stars! Heh.
After coffee, my newly-resolved moderate self shivered her way to the Grand Army Subway station.
Sure, I could run back. And it would likely take the same time as the subway.
But I had run almost 5 miles. With the longer-than-allowed run yesterday, and knowing I'd likely violate orders tomorrow with an intense run with Superman, I resolved to wait.
Patience.
Then I saw the sign. "No Brooklyn-bound trains this stop. For Brooklyn Service, take the 2,3,or 4 to Atlantic and transfer to a Brooklyn-bound train."
Argh! I had been away long enough that I forgot about the weekend service issues on the 2 and 3!
I had to talk myself down from the ledge, figuratively speaking.
"No. Wait here. Sure it will take longer but think how cold it is! You only have to wait 7 minutes for the next Manhattan-bound train. Plus, you promised!"
As I stood there with my shoulders in my ears, trying to keep warm, the cold factor was weighing against waiting. Plus, it would now take much longer for me to get home than if I were running.
But I held firm.
Patience.
Got to Atlantic. Figured out the Brooklyn-bound track. Waited for the train. Only 3 minutes this time.
It was a 4. I'd have to transfer again at Franklin.
"Just get on this train. It will be warmer. You can do it! Just wait. Why rush?"
The pep talk was getting less and less effective. It had now taken me almost half an hour to get to a point 10 minutes away, running-wise.
Standing in Franklin station, I was now convulsively shivering.
I squinted up at the sign. Brooklyn-bound 3: 9 minutes. Brooklyn-bound 2:7 minutes.
And this is a wide-open station. The wind from Eastern Parkway gusts through the tunnels, gaining force from the swoop underground.
Patience.
ACTUALLY, FORGET PATIENCE!
Spinning around, I walked briskly over to the exit and started a trundle home. A total of about 40 minutes to get to my house, a mile and a half from where I started. Sheesh.
There went the resolution about the run today. I went more like 5 1/2 or so.
The train made me do it!
At least the calf still feels good. I'm tired, though.
Re-evaluate tomorrow's run? Maybe.
But I've also got a lot of work to productively put off.
Speaking of, on to the crossword.
Patience. Overrated?
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sand
When I was about 16, I walked from Friends School down to Cherry Hill and then back up to the Inner Harbor in about 2 1/2 feet of snow. Breaking through that snow, over and over again, felt like I was walking through the top of a wedding cake. 4 hours and a sunburn later, my friend and I wore ourselves out. Muscles were cramping for at least a day.
At around age 17, another friend and I walked from the Jersey part of the shore all the way down to Ocean City on the sand. Several hours and a sunburn later, our calves were on fire. We took the bus back up.
Today was the first time I ever ran on the beach. I ran out to one side of Mariesas beach and back, then ran out to the other side. Running in the sand, on a slant in parts, is really difficult! I could feel my arms and stomach ?muscles? (or what would be muscles if I ever worked on them) compensating for the sliding around. Everywhere were signs shouting "Danger!" in Portuguese. No way will I wander out into the water: I'll watch the surfers from afar, as I trundle down the beach, safely away from the riptide.
And 'trundle' really is an appropriate word to use. Expended a lot of effort to go as slow as I did. When I would get to parts of the beach that were really hard-packed, however, I felt like I was Paula Radcliff, racing down some magic piece of concrete that appeared out of nowhere. The amount of energy different between running partly uphill in sliding sand and running on a flat, hard-packed surface is quite large. By the time I finished, my legs were exhausted. And I was feeling good prior to the run. It was the sort of feeling good that usually means I can run about 2 1/2 hours or so with no problem. I made it for 45 today.
Amazing views all the way around. I like Brazil in the winter. Might try an hour or an hour and fifteen tomorrow. All is not lost, even with the all-you-can-eat buffet included in the conference for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Still working on my conference paper, which means I'm also catching up on my crosswords. 5:02 for Monday's!
At around age 17, another friend and I walked from the Jersey part of the shore all the way down to Ocean City on the sand. Several hours and a sunburn later, our calves were on fire. We took the bus back up.
Today was the first time I ever ran on the beach. I ran out to one side of Mariesas beach and back, then ran out to the other side. Running in the sand, on a slant in parts, is really difficult! I could feel my arms and stomach ?muscles? (or what would be muscles if I ever worked on them) compensating for the sliding around. Everywhere were signs shouting "Danger!" in Portuguese. No way will I wander out into the water: I'll watch the surfers from afar, as I trundle down the beach, safely away from the riptide.
And 'trundle' really is an appropriate word to use. Expended a lot of effort to go as slow as I did. When I would get to parts of the beach that were really hard-packed, however, I felt like I was Paula Radcliff, racing down some magic piece of concrete that appeared out of nowhere. The amount of energy different between running partly uphill in sliding sand and running on a flat, hard-packed surface is quite large. By the time I finished, my legs were exhausted. And I was feeling good prior to the run. It was the sort of feeling good that usually means I can run about 2 1/2 hours or so with no problem. I made it for 45 today.
Amazing views all the way around. I like Brazil in the winter. Might try an hour or an hour and fifteen tomorrow. All is not lost, even with the all-you-can-eat buffet included in the conference for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Still working on my conference paper, which means I'm also catching up on my crosswords. 5:02 for Monday's!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Time Flies
When you are in a place that has no windows and no clocks!
I let posting get away from me when I was in Nevada. But, I am proud to say, I did get some runs in between the pool and hanging out with The Intellectual Rapier and Party Girl.
Note to those out there: bring a lot of water when you are running in Nevada. The first run I took, I left with the other two but set out on my own, going down a road that paralleled the Strip. Within a mile, my lips were parched and my mouth was dry. But I did not have a single bead of sweat on me. I managed about 5 1/2 before deciding that running between 10:30 and noon was NOT the best idea. It's really fun to see all the lights on the strip, though. Also got in some stair workouts, as you have to cross most of the roads via overhead bridges.
Seeing all the tourists - who were mainly Americans, as far as I could tell - made me realize anew how very unattractive we Americans are. If I never see another pair of too-tight cargo shorts, I will be very happy.
Next day, I went much earlier. Ran on the strip the whole time, marveling in the lights and come-ons even that early. The lights and the newness of it all made the run go by really quickly. Either that or the fact that I was semi-coherent, having slept about four (poor) hours the night before. Went about five that day.
No sleep plus vacation = really hard run when you get back to reality. Went with Ivy League out to Central Park on Friday. Started out counter-clockwise on 72nd for one full loop, then clock-wise for the 5-mile loop that cuts over on the 102nd street transverse. Then, counter-clockwise again for the 4-mile loop that cuts over on both transverses. I planned poorly for this run, mainly because I hadn't thought to ask how far we were going. No gu, no water bottles. Luckily, Ivy League had an extra gu that he gave to me. I'll bet he wished he hadn't when we got to the last loop. Even before the last loop, I was having a hard time. My breathing was fine but my legs were shot.
"If I make it to the end of the second loop, I'll just walk around and cool down while he does the last loop" I promised myself.
But, I had to take the train home with him and knew that he'd make fun of me the whole time if I gave up before the end of the run, so I crossed onto the 72nd street transverse for the last loop. One of the harder things I've done running. Psychologically, loops are my weakness. I'm kind of lazy, so I have a major temptation, even on the best of running days, to stop after I get to the finishing point of one loop. And yesterday was not one of my better running days.
Ivy League and I hit glycogen deficit at the same time, right before the 102nd street transverse. He had enough to keep going the same pace or slightly faster. I did not. I hobbled along until the very end, using my Ipod to help me out. My brain shut down a bit on the last part, leading to weird free associations not unlike when you are about to fall asleep. That's when I remembered that I never ate dinner Thursday night, not the smartest thing if you are going on at 15-mile run the next day!
Two lessons reinforced: 1. Avoid those guys (and they are almost always guys) who try to race you or pass you when they are clearly not going as fast as you. We had one for most of one of the loops and it was super annoying. We could hear him loudly stomping and breathing at a gasp right behind us. Better to just speed up a bit more, I think. 2. Have another song besides "Billy Jean" stuck in your head. It's probably my all-time favorite song but it doesn't give the right cadence for a run but you just cannot get it out of your brain! Plus, you want to shout 'ooh!' every so often, which seems a bit weird to other runners.
I had to catch up on crosswords on the plane ride back and on Friday afternoon. The earlier-in-the-week ones were kind of boring. Friday's, though, had a really funny clue. Was a joint tenant = did time. Hah!
I let posting get away from me when I was in Nevada. But, I am proud to say, I did get some runs in between the pool and hanging out with The Intellectual Rapier and Party Girl.
Note to those out there: bring a lot of water when you are running in Nevada. The first run I took, I left with the other two but set out on my own, going down a road that paralleled the Strip. Within a mile, my lips were parched and my mouth was dry. But I did not have a single bead of sweat on me. I managed about 5 1/2 before deciding that running between 10:30 and noon was NOT the best idea. It's really fun to see all the lights on the strip, though. Also got in some stair workouts, as you have to cross most of the roads via overhead bridges.
Seeing all the tourists - who were mainly Americans, as far as I could tell - made me realize anew how very unattractive we Americans are. If I never see another pair of too-tight cargo shorts, I will be very happy.
Next day, I went much earlier. Ran on the strip the whole time, marveling in the lights and come-ons even that early. The lights and the newness of it all made the run go by really quickly. Either that or the fact that I was semi-coherent, having slept about four (poor) hours the night before. Went about five that day.
No sleep plus vacation = really hard run when you get back to reality. Went with Ivy League out to Central Park on Friday. Started out counter-clockwise on 72nd for one full loop, then clock-wise for the 5-mile loop that cuts over on the 102nd street transverse. Then, counter-clockwise again for the 4-mile loop that cuts over on both transverses. I planned poorly for this run, mainly because I hadn't thought to ask how far we were going. No gu, no water bottles. Luckily, Ivy League had an extra gu that he gave to me. I'll bet he wished he hadn't when we got to the last loop. Even before the last loop, I was having a hard time. My breathing was fine but my legs were shot.
"If I make it to the end of the second loop, I'll just walk around and cool down while he does the last loop" I promised myself.
But, I had to take the train home with him and knew that he'd make fun of me the whole time if I gave up before the end of the run, so I crossed onto the 72nd street transverse for the last loop. One of the harder things I've done running. Psychologically, loops are my weakness. I'm kind of lazy, so I have a major temptation, even on the best of running days, to stop after I get to the finishing point of one loop. And yesterday was not one of my better running days.
Ivy League and I hit glycogen deficit at the same time, right before the 102nd street transverse. He had enough to keep going the same pace or slightly faster. I did not. I hobbled along until the very end, using my Ipod to help me out. My brain shut down a bit on the last part, leading to weird free associations not unlike when you are about to fall asleep. That's when I remembered that I never ate dinner Thursday night, not the smartest thing if you are going on at 15-mile run the next day!
Two lessons reinforced: 1. Avoid those guys (and they are almost always guys) who try to race you or pass you when they are clearly not going as fast as you. We had one for most of one of the loops and it was super annoying. We could hear him loudly stomping and breathing at a gasp right behind us. Better to just speed up a bit more, I think. 2. Have another song besides "Billy Jean" stuck in your head. It's probably my all-time favorite song but it doesn't give the right cadence for a run but you just cannot get it out of your brain! Plus, you want to shout 'ooh!' every so often, which seems a bit weird to other runners.
I had to catch up on crosswords on the plane ride back and on Friday afternoon. The earlier-in-the-week ones were kind of boring. Friday's, though, had a really funny clue. Was a joint tenant = did time. Hah!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Relax!
Thinking I was going to be the only runner out today for the group run, I was pleasently surprised when I saw Smiley come up to the meeting spot while I was getting water. Slow loop around the park, getting to catch up. Ran down Vanderbilt with him and finished up with a quicker-paced run down Bergen and up over to Kingston before heading home. The temperature on Bergen, with no shade, felt miles different than the temperature on Eastern Parkway. Gotta love the greenway.
My knee is hurting some now - I hope just because of the slant in the park. Must make sure to ice. Got in a bit over 7. Need to go faster but a recovery run isn't always a bad thing.
Running just puts me in the right mindset to get other things done - things I've been dreading but that I know will make me happier, ultimately, if I just go ahead and do them.
My knee is hurting some now - I hope just because of the slant in the park. Must make sure to ice. Got in a bit over 7. Need to go faster but a recovery run isn't always a bad thing.
Running just puts me in the right mindset to get other things done - things I've been dreading but that I know will make me happier, ultimately, if I just go ahead and do them.
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Sugar Shack
Ah, Baltimore!!!!!
After a relaxing night of playing scrabble and seeing the sights on the water, the Vivacious Redhead and I headed out for a steamy Baltimore run. We slept in and didn't leave until 8:00am or so, which was great for the stress levels but not quite as good for the temperature levels.
Since today was one of the last runs before training kicks in, I didn't stop my watch when we got to lights or when we stopped for water. I'm sure we were going slowly but it was nice - I never felt like I was pushing it at all and I got to be the chattering tour guide as we went through downtown Baltimore, up past the train station and where they were getting ready for Artscape, and up past John Hopkins University. Besides the run on the piers and the run up to the Science Center in the Harbor, it was basically a two-turn run from Fells Point over to Charles St, up and back. On the way back, which is more downhill, the Vivacious Redhead couldn't believe how steep some of the hills were that we had run up on the way out to Hopkins. Topped it all off with a 3/4 mile cool-down walk and some iced coffee. Delicious way to end a 10-mile run.
After a relaxing night of playing scrabble and seeing the sights on the water, the Vivacious Redhead and I headed out for a steamy Baltimore run. We slept in and didn't leave until 8:00am or so, which was great for the stress levels but not quite as good for the temperature levels.
Since today was one of the last runs before training kicks in, I didn't stop my watch when we got to lights or when we stopped for water. I'm sure we were going slowly but it was nice - I never felt like I was pushing it at all and I got to be the chattering tour guide as we went through downtown Baltimore, up past the train station and where they were getting ready for Artscape, and up past John Hopkins University. Besides the run on the piers and the run up to the Science Center in the Harbor, it was basically a two-turn run from Fells Point over to Charles St, up and back. On the way back, which is more downhill, the Vivacious Redhead couldn't believe how steep some of the hills were that we had run up on the way out to Hopkins. Topped it all off with a 3/4 mile cool-down walk and some iced coffee. Delicious way to end a 10-mile run.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Ready for some Exploration
but stuck (for now) in the usual
Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, East New York, Owl's Head Promenade. Enticing me with their odd little shops and unique storefronts, or their ten-degree temperature difference and the ambiance of Vancouver to one's right. Whispering the promise of new loves while I ran on the worn and familiar. But the familiar is what I need right now, even if I don't want it. I need to stay close to either home or to the subway, in case my leg starts hurting. PT's orders.
I took some much-needed alone time and ran around the outside of the Prospect Park this morning. Having spent so much time alone in Hawaii, it's been an adjustment to come back to a place where I am expected to interact with others on a daily basis. The heat having abated, the run was an easy one, with no watch and no company save my own. It's only 6.75 miles but they were solid and much-needed ones.
I also got some education today on history, a subject I have always been bad at, having a bad memory for both dates and names. Did you know that the Pisans lost the Battle of Meloria in 1284? Or that Lake Micmac, in Nova Scotia, is named after a Native American tribe? As can often happen with Friday's, the puzzle was frustrating but ultimately solvable.
Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, East New York, Owl's Head Promenade. Enticing me with their odd little shops and unique storefronts, or their ten-degree temperature difference and the ambiance of Vancouver to one's right. Whispering the promise of new loves while I ran on the worn and familiar. But the familiar is what I need right now, even if I don't want it. I need to stay close to either home or to the subway, in case my leg starts hurting. PT's orders.
I took some much-needed alone time and ran around the outside of the Prospect Park this morning. Having spent so much time alone in Hawaii, it's been an adjustment to come back to a place where I am expected to interact with others on a daily basis. The heat having abated, the run was an easy one, with no watch and no company save my own. It's only 6.75 miles but they were solid and much-needed ones.
I also got some education today on history, a subject I have always been bad at, having a bad memory for both dates and names. Did you know that the Pisans lost the Battle of Meloria in 1284? Or that Lake Micmac, in Nova Scotia, is named after a Native American tribe? As can often happen with Friday's, the puzzle was frustrating but ultimately solvable.
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