This is what I should say as we set out on our running adventure, at 7:30 Saturday morning. The good 'ol "Orange" team (bragging) and I hit the 4 mile mark this morning. Kind of a milestone in my running career I think. That is definitely the furthest I've ever run. Let me remind you...I am NOT a runner! Naturally I was the sweaty girl in the back. A celebratory Berrie smoothie and 10 minute stare-into-space-sesh on the couch was much needed afterward.
In my usual before 9am haze (not to be confused with purple haze, the much slower team in our running group) I showed up seconds before the group's jont. I feel no need to arrive early and socialize. I tried chatting it up the first day with the pacing exercise small talk and was shut down! So lame. Now, I'm what we call an iPoder. Call me anti-social but a techno remix and some Snoop-Dawg whispering in my ear is basically all I need.
Since I start out toward the back of the herd, and stay there, I am able to observe...all things. I'm an observer. That's totally the reason I run near the back, it has nothing to do with me being an amature. What I see spurs some intimidation in me. I'm in the midst of some hard-core runner types. I mean, these runners have water-belts on! If you're new, as I am, to running world let me explain...These are elastic belts that have loops just big enough to hold plastic, easily squeezable bottles of water. Not just one...three, sometimes four miniature bottles of water. Why not just one big bottle you ask? I don't know. Perhaps too much weight in one area of your lower back? I can't tell you...because I'm not a water belt wearer. Some run with the double-bottle hold. This consists of Gatorade in the left hand and H2O in the right. These people say NAY to the belt. They can hydrate without the help of an elastic accessory from REI. I personally like the "stop at any water fountain in sight" game. It keeps me on my toes, literally. Who doesn't like almost fainting in August 90 degree weather then hittin up an oasis of glory at mile three?! Live a little!
The home stretch today...although I'm terrible with estimating yardage, I'm going to throw out there that I had about 10 yards to go. With a scheme of fleeing before the post-run seminar (i.e. someone talking about stretches or chaffing while I continue to sweat and itch from the grass I'm forced to sit on) I decide I should get my "cool down" in now and speed walk the last 10 yards...plus my play list has turned to some slower jams, I am left with no choice. I get my speed walk on, arms pumping, feeling just a little guilty since the enthusiastic coaches probably prefer congratulating runners instead of walkers at the end of the trail. I'm in the zone and fantasizing about the water ahead of me (should have worn a water belt). I swing my speed walking right arm and whop the upper thigh of the male runner next to me! I instantly spout out an apology, probably yelling to overcompensate for the music in my ears. Oops! I guess that's what I get for an early cool down and skipping out on the ultra-informative seminar!
I did stick around long enough to get my free t-shirt and hat! Secretly that's why I joined!
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