Where I blather on about my love of running

So, I finally got back into the swing of things this past weekend. Well, I’d been working out when I could, but I haven’t been running, at all. Time had been truly precious around here, so I’ve been doing the 30-minute circuit at Planet Fitness over lunch . . . it gets my heart rate up, makes me sweat, and allows me to push myself, lifting. It’s not a perfect workout, but when you’re really busy, you can do a lot worse.

But, well, I wasn’t sure if an all-around work out, for half an hour, over lunch, was going to help me live up to my twitter handle. I hadn’t run in weeks. So, Saturday morning came about, and I decided I was just up & run a half-marathon.

I know, full well, that there are people who work for years to get themselves to the point where they’d even consider a half-marathon. But, before my recent running hiatus, I was honestly working to condition myself so that a marathon was “just another run.” I’m still bigger than most any other runner in the history of runners, but I can push myself more than most anyone else.

But, I was nowhere near having 26.2 be “just another run.” Even after a marathon, I needed about a full week to even think about running again. I was hoping to run half, but I had no idea what I’d be able to manage.

The run started out the same as almost all runs do – after just a little bit, I was questioning why I was even bothering, but I found my stride by mile 2. And, before too long, mile 2 had turned into mile 8. Then, I started pushing myself – my legs no longer were on auto-pilot, but I was feeling pretty good, Carter & Sadie Kane were detailing their adventures with the Throne of Fire (yes, I listen to young adult audiobooks when I run), and the weather was gorgeous. Basically, I had the perfect conditions to continue the run for as much as I could.

Mile 12 hit, and I was in the clear (I also, screwed up the runkeeper activity by hitting “stop” when the audio went silent on my audiobook . . . you’ll just have to trust that I ran the final 1.1 miles . . . I think, it was close).

But, that’s all just a workout, and writing about workouts is boring. No, I got home and immediately went back into “dad mode,” (well, maybe I took a few minutes) changing diapers, making pancakes, playing with kids . . . you know, that stuff that I’m supposed to be doing. Heck, I even went for a walk with the whole family soon after.

Despite burning 2000+ calories, I was feeling great. Today, two days later, at work, I had a crappy-ass day, but my legs felt absolutely spring-loaded, raring to go. Whenever I walked to another meeting, I wanted to run there. And when somebody pissed me off, I wanted to kick them in the face. I noticed my clothing fitting more loosely. It appears that, sometimes, that “runners high” lasts more than just the run.

I’m still shy of making 26.2 “just another run,” but I didn’t regress, either. And my legs, they’re finally “back to normal.” I’m at the beach next week . . . it’s going to be wonderful, but I also think it means 13.1 miles along the sand one way….and we’ll see if I run or meander on back.

14 comments

  1. My running has been dwindling ever since Broad Street back on May 1 (from which I got a case of plantar fasciitis from the increased training leading up to it), but I am still trying to keep up at least a little. I may only be getting out 3x a week, and only 2-4 miles, but at least I am getting out. I’m glad to hear you got out again… keep at it! We need to catch up soon.

  2. OK, this inspires me to keep turning on my Couch 2 5K program, even if I just keep repeating week 3. I dream of running a half marathon. This post might make me want to punch you, but then I’d like to hug you. Because I think, “totally awesome.” 🙂

    1. I still remember week 3 of c25k. Seriously, I had an easier time making it to marathon distance than I did getting through that “5 minute run”. Hang in there, it gets easier

  3. Someday, I’ll blather on about how I once ran a whole mile without walking… Yeah, that’s right. One. Whole. Mile.

    You’re awesome, you. Keep it up.

    1. You know, I think I was prouder of myself when I managed my first mile without stopping than I was when I finished my first marathon.

  4. Whoa, SUPER badass. I’m with CDG. And if I were to ever get to the point where I could run a half marathon without even thinking about it, I think I WOULD just kick people in the face. Then run away, because there’s no way they’d be able to chase me for 13.1 miles.

    1. That makes the presumption that I run fast (which I do not). I’m used to, as I’m “running,” to have old ladies in walkers pass me by.

      (during long runs, I aim for 10:00 miles)

  5. Running in sand is way harder. And you have the ultimate accountability with the Twitter handle you chose. So you either need to live up to it, or totally lie.

    1. Running in the sand is much harder, but I love it . . . the sea air hitting your face, having to push, just a little bit more, to get yourself to move, step-by-step. When I run on the beach, I try to get there before sunrise so that I can catch the inspiration of the sunrise, trying to overload my senses so I don’t quite notice the burn in my legs. And, if I manage to get a good distance run before the sun rises, and I’m on the beach by myself, and I know this, a quick little skinny dip in the Atlantic never hurt anyone 😉

  6. Awesome.

    I hadn’t even read this post when I decided I was going to run 10 today. I haven’t done more than a two-three miler in over a month (since the kids are home for the summer).

    But this morning, I just needed to know I could do it.

    I absolutely get what you’re talking about with the aftermath…

    Good stuff. Hoping it will last me a few days, too.

    Or at least through a REALLY big dinner tonight 😉

  7. My running buddy and I were sharing this morning how much better we feel all day long on the days we run – and totally tired and bummed on those we don’t. it’s the best freakin drug ever!

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