Well, I managed another run this month. Woo
The first of proper summer runs for this year then. Skipped out at about 8am in order to get in a run before settling down to work and to enjoy the morning and I took a leisurely 3.5km out towards Ringmer and back. I decided to take it very gently and try a shorter distance on my ankle and see how it likes it.
I usually think of running as some kind of physical punishment and that I have to run far and fast for it to be worth doing. I'm trying to challenge this habit (I'm usually in it before I realise - cursing myself that my running is pointless and turning away) but its slow going. Today though I thought of all the lovely things about getting out:
I'm starting to build up a sense of the motley collection of peeps who are out and about on my route at this time in the morning. There is the guy with his two mental dogs who runs North Street Garage. I don't like him as a mechanic, but he always smiles at me when he passes, whizzing along on his bike with his two (honestly, demented looking) dogs racing along.
There are a few people who look like they're walking to work (and I'm sure I've seen some of them going the other way when I run this route at the end of the day). One chap made a point of waving and saying hello. Never seen him before in my life, but it was a nice thing to be acknowledged so I smiled and said hello back.
I caught the attention of a doddery old dog (out with his equally doddery owner) who turned back, spotted me running up and waited to greet me. I was studying the dog as I got closer, checking to see there wasn't any hostility and then his tail broke out in a huge wag. He was a slightly shaggy creature, with floppy yet animated ears obviously enjoying a gentle sunny morning out with him human. I really wanted to give a big cuddle, but chose not to break my stride. As I got within a couple of meters, my new doggy friend ran over and wanted to run with me, his owner a few hundred feet ahead. What could I do? "Come on then!" I said and we ran to meet his person together. I called out to chat to the guy, telling him I'd made a friend and we exchanged a few words before I ran on.
That is unusual for me. I've always felt incredibly self conscious chatting with strangers and historically I have only ever initiated conversations under duress or in situations that are obviously manufactured for this to happen (networking events, open days, tweet ups, dating events etc). But it just felt like a normal part of life. A nice bit of life, even. So perhaps this old dog can learn new tricks, eh? ;-)
On the way back I spotted a buzzard circling just over head. Had to keep track of it for a few seconds to be sure it wasn't just a pigeon capitalising on my eagerness to spot a bird of prey to fool me. Nope, wing tips curved elegantly upward, flapping smoothing out into circling on an updraft. Right overhead, a fantastic view.
I'd not have had any of that if I hadn't levered myself out for a run. Maybe it's not all / only about physical punishment after all.
I also have thoughts on mental fitness & running. MLCMM keeps reminding me of the subject and I've been pondering why it is I've not been out running since 1st May when it is now 24th May. I shall save them for another post as this one is already long :-) /crap-attempt-at-cliffhanger
May: running in the rain
