I haven’t done a Saturday Running Commentary post in a while (yes, I’m too lazy to go back and check; that run wore me out!). Additionally, today’s was a run I don’t mind revisiting, at least briefly (yes yes, my Running Commentary posts often run long, but they don’t always) (did you see what I did there? “run long”? Well, I liked it).
Yesterday’s run equalled my last longest time, so I thought I might do a shorter run today, then increase by the recommended ten percent tomorrow. I could decide as I went. I carried a bottle of water with me, reminding myself not to drink too much too fast. Then I reflected that the run ought to be a long one, since I was bringing water. You see how I talk myself into these things.
I decided to run up the hill by Valley Health then on into the residential area I call the Suburbs. There are some pretty good hills in that area, and I can easily go by the spring to refill my water bottle on my way back home.
Tiny sips, I reminded myself, and not too often. This would be fine. Soon I had made it up the hill by Valley Health. That did not feel so fine. I called a greeting to two ladies going to work (I surmised by their scrubs). They waved and one said, “Get that work-out done!” in an encouraging tone of voice.
I ran further into the Suburbs than I have on my shorter runs. Here was a hill! As I recalled, it was a long hill. Just keep going, I told myself. I resisted the urge to turn left and not go all the way up the hill. Then I saw that I was no nearly as close to the top as I thought I was. Oh no!
There was the right-hand turn which was where I would come out if I kept going straight. The road goes down then up. So I could turn right and go down, then up, then down, or I could go straight and go up, then down, then up. I turned right. I felt I HAD to go downhill at least for a bit.
Bad move, I realized. This made for a lot longer distance going up. The snarky voice in my head suggested I take a life lesson about choosing short-term gratification and ending up with longer-term effort. Then I told the snarky voice to shut up. It is a win/win situation, I decided. Either I enjoy an easier run or I enjoy the benefits of a more difficult run. Additionally, I intend to run in this area all summer. I have plenty of chances to run the other way.
Keeping an eye on the time, I ran toward the spring. I finished the bottle just as I got to it. By virtue of going a little ways past my house, I increased my run time by 10 percent. Now THAT is a win/win situation. Or do I only win once? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Mohawk Valley Girl 