On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

I wanted spring. I got spring. Cue complaining.

Yesterday: I wore shorts and a t-shirt to run! Too bad it was muggy and icky and windy. I was afraid it would be raining when I ran. Instead, it wasn't raining. I wanted it to rain.

Not much else to add. A few small things:

Women
Read this article in Running Times about the effect our period has on our running. Don't read it if you are uncomfortable with the word "menstruation." And then, make sure that all your big races are scheduled for the week after your period ends.

Men
Don't creep on me. If you are suspicious looking, and you are walking along the multi-use path, and we're in a relatively desolate area, don't stop cold, turn and leer at me, and say something meant to be provocative, like, "Looking fine, mami!" I will not stop and have sex with you. I will run faster, though. If you need more help on this, read these tips on how to prevent sexual assault.

3 comments:

  1. I went to the Running Times link, read the first sentence and the tomato that was in my salad at lunch came straight out my nose. Thanks for the mid-day cackle.

    I was in Paris in February and wanted to run in a park near my hotel because I had 14 miles to do. Then I went online to find out some reviews and paths and nearly every entry said not to go alone. Crap. So I just walked everywhere and ran my 14 when I got home. I thought about doing it on a treadmill, but I hate them with a passion ever since I fell off one at 250 lbs. Funny how 85 lbs lighter I still avoid them.

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  2. Fell off of the treadmill! Do you think your weight contributed to that? I'm pretty shocked I haven't managed that one yet... No shame. I fell off a spin bike once. I was buckled in and still managed to lose my balance.

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  3. I am NOT kidding when I say every single race I've ever run (ok, fine, not that many but still)...I've had my period! There may be a slight chance I won't have it for the marathon, but I'm not holding my breath. Its been known to come and go according to my race schedule.

    Also, we need to discuss running skirts because I might die if I have to run another summer in capris.

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