August 4th, 2010 – 4.11 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Tonight’s run was unexpectedly pleasant. I went to the local high school to run the track. They have a nice rubberized track. I’d been dealing with some AT, knee and hip issues so I thought I’d better take it easy. I could have run the streets, but I thought I it would be better to choose softer turf.

I would have preferred to find a nice trail, but I didn’t do the research. I figured the track would be insanely boring, but better than skipping the workout all together, which I was talking myself into doing.

I drove the mile and a half to the school, as opposed to running it because the last time I tried to get on the track, I found that I couldn’t. I didn’t want to run all the way out there, only to find that I couldn’t get on the track. If I couldn’t, I would drive home and just do my normal 3.5 mile route and take it *really* easily.

When I got to the parking lot, I ran into some nice kids who told me the trick of getting onto the track. Apparently, there is a part of the fence that’s been damaged and people just step through the hole that’s been made. It seemed that it would be a very easy repair, so my guess is that the school knows it’s there and allows the trespassing to go on.

There were several people there, but only 3 (including myself) serious runners. So I did a quick stretch and set out. I told Chris I would just run until I got tired and figured I would consider myself a HUGE success if I could stand the tedium for 3 miles.

Running around in circles on a completely smooth surface has its advantages. I was able to literally close my eyes for several seconds at a time and transport myself. It was like running in my dreams. It really was great. I was able to get into my music and actually forget I was out there.

It was much easier for me to get into “Zen Running” when I didn’t have to worry about stop lights, dogs on leashes or stopping. I could just run…. With no worries about obstacles.

There was a lady out there with a few of her kids. Her very porky son kept running across my lane when I’d pass them. Many times, I didn’t see him until it was too late so it is well that he didn’t seem to want to get run over but just needed some attention. It was also well that I never ran him over because I would have been supremely unconcerned and that might have pissed off his mother. But I was ready for that too. Why would someone show up at the track with their kids and allow them to disrupt other people’s workouts? It’s so rude! It’s like those ladies who show up at the gym and spend *hours* on the stationary bikes, barely pedaling and reading a book! Or on the treadmill in full hair, make-up, sports bra and body glitter! Sometimes I wanted to scream, “Get out! and make room for someone who’s actually trying to get a work out!!!”

But I digress, other than the rudeness, it was a really great run. I ran until I lost most of my daylight and I was starting to feel a sting in my right ankle. That was at about the 3.86 mile mark so I completed the circuit and got off the track. Didn’t want to press my luck.

I was really surprised to find that I enjoyed running the track so much. I remember being in high school and seeing the “older folks” running the track after Track Practice. Now I’m one of the fogies. Feels good!