Leisureworld 10K!
Cork, Ireland
Sunday
I found my way back...eventually
If I'm going to get lost running, best to be in an English speaking country. No. Strike that. *I* wasn't lost. *I* always knew where *I* was, as well as the general direction in which I needed to head to get back to my hotel. But running in a country who's cities are not on a grid system does present its challenges.
For two of my Ireland runs, I aimed for Fitzgerald's Park. Both times I missed. My first journey was supposed to be a 3 mile run. I overshot and ended up running 6. Second time was meant to be 4 miles. To Fitzgerald's Park it would be 3.4 miles there and back, I ran closer to the 4. I was okay with that. My third run went better. This time I wrote down the street names and carried them with me so I would be able to ask if I missed a turn. Plus, I was running to a castle. Having a castle as a landmark certainly helps. Besides, it's not often I can say I've run by one. I wonder if the locals even bat an eye at that...
Running in Ireland introduced a new concept to me (aside from the castles). That of running without a watch or even a particular route. My phone doesn't have service out of the US and it is the primary way I track my runs. Before I left for my trip, I couldn't even find my sports watch. So I ventured out with a general idea of location, my phone (for taking pictures), and some euro to grab a taxi if necessary. Not being "wired" left me feeling free. There was no pace, only forward. There was no distance, only the road ahead. I listened to my body and ran. If a view was nice, I stopped and took a picture. If a path looked inviting, I took it. My sole purpose for venturing out was the run. I don't run like that at home. My day is packed with schedules. My evening and weekend are packed with schedules. My run is scheduled. Having two weekends without schedules...lovely. I need to remember the importance of an untimed run.
Suburban Running Hazards
Whenever I can, I run outside. I do have a treadmill, but staring at the wall can be boring. I prefer the change in scenery and the people watching of a suburban (or urban, or country) run. These runs don't come without their own special brand of hazards. In no particular order, here are for what I've learned to look out:
1. Skunks.
Truthfully, I'm glad these creatures are nocturnal. Can you imagine if they were out during the day? Yes, you could see them better, but I still think the number of sprays would increase. I had a close encounter on a three mile run a week or so ago. Dummy me decided to slow down to figure out what it was. Once I realized that it was, indeed, a skunk, and that it had raised its tail, I took off. Hello, negative split on mile 2!
2. Cars backing out of driveways.
As stated in a previous blog, I no longer run with music. I've had several close encounters with cars backing out of driveways when I was running with music that I decided that I need to be more aware of my running surroundings. I just tune out too much when I listen to music. Even so, it can be hard to predict which house will have a car backing out. Yesterday, the driver seemed in a hurry. Fortunately, the driveway was long so I had time to react, and I was wearing my new, obnoxiously pink tech fleece. I don't think this says "Notice me!" It screams it.
3. Turning cars and cars darting across intersections.
I get it because I drive. And despite being a runner, I still forget to look for pedestrians when I'm in a hurry. Same as #2, I make sure I know where they are. And make eye contact with the driver when possible. Doesn't mean I won't make them wait. Hey, I have a pace I'm trying to keep. :)
4. Little kids walking little dogs.
In my suburban area, the dog owners are very considerate. They leash their dogs. They move over for the runners. They say hello. At most, big dogs just want to join me for the run. Little dogs usually yap away as little dogs are prone to do. Generally, I don't worry about dogs. What makes me worry is a group of kids walking a dog. To be fair, on yesterday's run, the kids were rounding a corner and couldn't see me over the bushes. But I nearly stepped on the little dog they were walking. Here's a tip. Watch out for blind corners. You never know when a woman in a blindingly pink fleece will be running by.
5. Culver's. Any pizza place. The Continental Bakery. Etc.
There is a good reason I run without money or credit card. Because 4 miles into a 6 mile run, when I see the Culver's sign for Oreo cheesecake... Yeah. I'd be stopping.
6. (New one!) Motion sensor audible ads.
There is a realtors office that I ran by. As I passed an audible commercial started playing. It completely caught me off guard making me jump and even yell a little bit. If I jump at realtor ads imagine how I'll be running with the neighborhood's various Halloween decorations!
1. Skunks.
Truthfully, I'm glad these creatures are nocturnal. Can you imagine if they were out during the day? Yes, you could see them better, but I still think the number of sprays would increase. I had a close encounter on a three mile run a week or so ago. Dummy me decided to slow down to figure out what it was. Once I realized that it was, indeed, a skunk, and that it had raised its tail, I took off. Hello, negative split on mile 2!
2. Cars backing out of driveways.
As stated in a previous blog, I no longer run with music. I've had several close encounters with cars backing out of driveways when I was running with music that I decided that I need to be more aware of my running surroundings. I just tune out too much when I listen to music. Even so, it can be hard to predict which house will have a car backing out. Yesterday, the driver seemed in a hurry. Fortunately, the driveway was long so I had time to react, and I was wearing my new, obnoxiously pink tech fleece. I don't think this says "Notice me!" It screams it.
3. Turning cars and cars darting across intersections.
I get it because I drive. And despite being a runner, I still forget to look for pedestrians when I'm in a hurry. Same as #2, I make sure I know where they are. And make eye contact with the driver when possible. Doesn't mean I won't make them wait. Hey, I have a pace I'm trying to keep. :)
4. Little kids walking little dogs.
In my suburban area, the dog owners are very considerate. They leash their dogs. They move over for the runners. They say hello. At most, big dogs just want to join me for the run. Little dogs usually yap away as little dogs are prone to do. Generally, I don't worry about dogs. What makes me worry is a group of kids walking a dog. To be fair, on yesterday's run, the kids were rounding a corner and couldn't see me over the bushes. But I nearly stepped on the little dog they were walking. Here's a tip. Watch out for blind corners. You never know when a woman in a blindingly pink fleece will be running by.
5. Culver's. Any pizza place. The Continental Bakery. Etc.
There is a good reason I run without money or credit card. Because 4 miles into a 6 mile run, when I see the Culver's sign for Oreo cheesecake... Yeah. I'd be stopping.
6. (New one!) Motion sensor audible ads.
There is a realtors office that I ran by. As I passed an audible commercial started playing. It completely caught me off guard making me jump and even yell a little bit. If I jump at realtor ads imagine how I'll be running with the neighborhood's various Halloween decorations!
Thursday
Rainy Run
It was a beautiful day. Yesterday was rainy and cold, but today boasted sunshine and warmer weather. I had skipped my Wednesday workout after a long day at work. Today I was itching to run. However, by the time I laced up my running shoes, it was raining. I only had 3 miles, but I did not want to run on my treadmill. So a rainy run it was. The benefit of a rainy run is the increased feeling of bad-ass awesomeness. On a nice day, a lot of people venture out for a run. The neighborhood is alive with activity. When it's dreary, far fewer people are out. But I maintain that a run in the steady rain is good for the soul. Dodging raindrops and jumping over (or in) puddles can lift the spirits. Or maybe that's more a result of the bragging rights to the people who chose to stay indoors... ;)
Wednesday
Tuesday
Dreamland
I had a dream that I had killer, toned arms. Then I woke up with the same ol' arms I've always had. Sad.
At the very least, that dream wasn't about work because that is what my dreams usually are about. Lately, my work dreams have at least been amusing. One was that there was a by-invite-only kegger on the roof of one of our buildings. I was especially excited because I received an invite. There was a velvet red rope and a bouncer, too. The whole nine yards. I thought it was a little odd that it was on the roof of the building, and exclusive. I never did find out if it was a fabulous party or not because the dream ended.
Usually I remember my dreams. Sometimes this leads to disappointment, most times it leads to amusement. I do wish I had some say in what I dream about. After a stressful day, I don't really want to dream more about the stress. I'm left feeling unrested and cranky. If I had my way, I would see how my daydreams translate into sleep dreams. Running away to a private island in a warmer climate. Swimming in clear, warm water. Running along scenic trails. No cares... No working late... Sleeping in...
*sigh*
At the very least, that dream wasn't about work because that is what my dreams usually are about. Lately, my work dreams have at least been amusing. One was that there was a by-invite-only kegger on the roof of one of our buildings. I was especially excited because I received an invite. There was a velvet red rope and a bouncer, too. The whole nine yards. I thought it was a little odd that it was on the roof of the building, and exclusive. I never did find out if it was a fabulous party or not because the dream ended.
Usually I remember my dreams. Sometimes this leads to disappointment, most times it leads to amusement. I do wish I had some say in what I dream about. After a stressful day, I don't really want to dream more about the stress. I'm left feeling unrested and cranky. If I had my way, I would see how my daydreams translate into sleep dreams. Running away to a private island in a warmer climate. Swimming in clear, warm water. Running along scenic trails. No cares... No working late... Sleeping in...
*sigh*
Sunday
The race that started it all
My running journey began in track season, my sophomore year of high school. I didn't know it was beginning, I just thought I'd try out a running event, probably because my older sister was (and is) a runner. The only thing I remember about that meet, aside from it being at Luther South, was that I ran my first 800 meters. In track I was in the field events. I threw shot put and discus. Any running I had done to that point was simply for training which is why I remember that 800 meters so well. It's funny to think back and remember how hard that distance felt. Especially having completed 2 marathons, several half marathons, and a few 10 and 15Ks in my adult life. But at the time, two laps around the track seemed impossible. On my second lap I was questioning my sanity in telling my coach I wanted to run. I was staring at 390 meters to go, an eternity. At this moment my sister appeared. "You can do this! Count your steps '1, 2, 3'!" With her cheering me on, I finished my first 800. I couldn't tell you my time, but I won't forget that run.
To date, no one has ever accused me of being a runner. I certainly don't look like a runner. I'm built like I belong behind a team of oxen while plowing a field. So there was no expectation for how I would do on that day. And that run certainly didn't go down in history as a break out race. It didn't start me down the road to running greatness. But, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I do see that it was the beginning of my journey to 'Runner'.
To date, no one has ever accused me of being a runner. I certainly don't look like a runner. I'm built like I belong behind a team of oxen while plowing a field. So there was no expectation for how I would do on that day. And that run certainly didn't go down in history as a break out race. It didn't start me down the road to running greatness. But, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I do see that it was the beginning of my journey to 'Runner'.
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