Today I did things a little different. First, I didn't have all that stuff to worry about carrying (although that left me a bit without purpose or direction). Second, I did all the stretches from my running for dummies book properly before leaving. Third, I set the alarms on my phone to go off so I wouldn't have to keep looking at the time (difficult to see in the bright sun, besides being a distraction). Three alarms, three different times to set - it's perfect. I preset all the times based on when I thought I would be leaving, and then quickly adjusted them when I was actually leaving.
I set out with a negative outlook. I didn't really want to do this today, but more because I was afraid I wouldn't make it the full 2 minutes again, and that would probably be the end of my running endeavor. I started off with an uphill section and was thinking about how I probably wouldn't want to keep doing this if I had a job, because I'd have to do it so early in the morning, because the only way I can do this is if no one's around. Of course, there were a ton of people out today which made me consider part of the reason I don't want regular townspeople seeing me is because they're all out of shape lazy hillbillies and I think they look down on me for being in shape. Well, that's not a very good reason for me to not run, so...
The alarm goes off and I take off running. I'm trying to go slower than I did on day 1, good posture, arms swinging, head up. Having brand new, ridiculously white running shoes keeps the eyes up - it actually hurts to catch a glimpse of the shoes in the sunlight!
Without a gameplan for where I was going, I realized suddenly that I was going to be doing my running on a busy road with a high chance of people sitting out on their porches. I spied what appeared to be an alley, and when I got to it, checked to make sure it went through. Risking loose dogs in backyards, I trucked through the alley to the next side street. So far, so good. Running down the side street, my posture suffered somewhat from having to watch for bad footing. Then, my alarm went off. I was sure it was the snooze on the 1st alarm (because I didn't turn it "off," I realized too late), but checked, and my two minutes were up. Now that is more what I was expecting two minutes to feel like. Not that I thought I could've gone too much further, but my lungs weren't on fire like day 1.
So, I slowed to a walk, said hello to a neighbor who ignored me, and enjoyed the walk home. I love all the passageways and alleys in our neighborhood. They pose a lot of issues and potential problems, but I think they're neat, and assuming no loose dogs, rude neighbors, or violent criminals, I may continue running through there. Lots of twists and turns if something pops up ahead that doesn't look comfortable.
I got back to the house too quick, and had to circle around our alley..I can't help but wonder, despite how easy today was, if I'm gonna be able to add a full minute in two days! I guess we'll find out!
Time: 1pm
Weather: 65, breezy, 47% humidity, sunny (AKA: GLORIOUS)
No comments:
Post a Comment