I joined a running group, organized by the gym that I am a member of, a few weeks ago. This is the second year that they have done this. I did it last year, too. Plain and simple, I
Our running group is split into different sections depending on what you are training for. We have people training for their first 5K. We have several people training for a 10K, but the majority of the group is training for a 25K. I am part of the 25Kers and this group is split between advanced and beginners with the only difference between the two being the mileage for the long run (it usually varies by 2 miles).
Today's advanced group was running 9 miles. I contemplated running the 7 miles the beginners were doing since my legs were so tired from doing a heavy weight session yesterday (note to self: do not do that again, dummy). Instead of turning off at the marker for 7 miles, I ventured on to the 9 mile course. I, by no means, consider myself an advanced runner. Sometimes I just need the push to do something that might make me a little uncomfortable. 7 miles today = comfortable. 9 miles today= uncomfortable.
All of the other runners in the advanced group are faster than me so even though we start off as a group, I end up running solo within the first mile. I see the gazelles ahead of me, but alas, no one is behind me. I do not like to listen to music while I run. I have a phobia of anything being in my ears, plus I don't want to get distracted at the wrong time and become someones hood ornament. Thus, I have a lot of time to think while I am out there pounding the pavement.
Some of today's thoughts:
- I wonder if my Garmin will last for the duration of this run on 40% battery life
- I wonder who else in blog land is running at this very moment
- Watch your footing -- Michigan weather leads to potholes that can swallow a small child
- I am thankful for the clear roads (by clear I mean free of snow or ice)
- I am not thankful for the WIND, whew! (unless said wind is at my back allowing me to see how it feels to run a 7 minute mile)
- That beautiful red cardinal makes 5 roadkills that I passed today
- I wonder if animals pre-roadkill are fearful seconds before they become actual roadkill
- Interesting that a package of ground turkey was laying on the side of the road....did someone toss it out the window or did it fall out? If it fell out how the heck would that happen? If someone tossed it out why the heck would they do that.
- Why do people litter?
- I wonder what percentage of runners spit? (I spit when I run because my saliva gets so thick I almost choke trying to swallow it. I know it is not very pretty, but it is necessary.)
- Why do some drivers get so pissed off when they see a runner they purposely don't move over
- I should invest in a Road ID
- I love my socks
- Hills can bite me
- Jim at 50 after 40 is running the Austin Marathon tomorrow. Good luck Jim.
- Cold water in cold weather tastes delightful
- Answer to thought #1 is no. Damn, Garmin just died
- How many more miles?
- I am pleased the sun is shining but my face isn't. (I have terrible melasma above my upper lip and absolutely no sunscreen I have tried helps)
- Thank you God for allowing me to run 9.32 miles today
What do you think about while running?
Do you spit when you run?
Any suggestions regarding the sunscreen issue? (I am almost tempted to put some masking tape on the affected area while exposed to the sun for any length of time. Seriously.)
Total miles for this week = 18.32.
If you get some good ideas about the sunscreen let me know. I also have melasma very badly above my upper lip. I call it my "tanstache" (tan mustache). It sucks and is very unattractive in the summer. And here I thought I was the only one :) And yes I spit too. I really related to your post today (random running thoughts - I guess we all have them). Good job on the run! I can't believe you were last, your pace to pretty good. Me, I am ALWAYS last.....when running a 12ish minute mile sometimes the walkers pass me.
ReplyDeleteNice. I probably would have more thoughts rolling around in my head if I didn't listen to music. I should really just ditch it from time to time but it's a habit.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't mean I don't think, though. Sometimes I'll think about a story I'm working on or I'll try to figure out how I'm going to divide up my time once I'm done running, between work/family/errands/etc. Sometimes I'll think about upcoming races or a race I just had. I love it when I get lost in thought because the miles fly by and I'm not looking at my Garmin every .1 miles.
I do spit when I run but I am always very careful about it. I always check behind me when I do it unless I'm running alone on some deserted road.
Sorry about the sunscreen issue. I don't use any and I'll probably regret it someday.
I need do this. I've kind of looked into it, but haven't found anything too close to me. Better look harder.
ReplyDeleteI don't spit when I run. I find that I need as much fluid as I can get.
I spit when a bug goes in my mouth:)
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your comment, I teach in Mancelona, which is about 15 minutes away from Bellaire. We should get together for a run if you're ever up!
I never run with music and use my runs as some alone time. I sometimes solve work related problems while running. This means I think about IT technical stuff while running...true geek me. I spit a lot. Sorry, I have no sunscreen answers for you.
ReplyDeletePretty much the same thing you thought of, some others I think of
ReplyDelete- I rather be on my bike
- How much longer till this is done
- Oweeee
- I should have biked
- Did I remember to lock my car
- Where are my keys
- I wonder what on DVR I can watch when I plop back on my couch