When I was still in high school and discovering running for the first time, it was quite an unorthodox experience. I lived on a farm down a winding, topsy turvy road full of hills and wilderness, while lacking sidewalks and safety measures.
It’s quite astonishing I stuck with it like I did. And maybe even more astonishing I was never seriously injured in the process.
Naturally, I started with the run/walk routine. As most do. But I don’t remember ever improving. Only running as far as I could to get out of sight of my house, so my parents wouldn’t think I was a big wus, and walking immediately. This lasted until I got to the top of the massive hill that the road went over and I’d run another minute or so as to not spend too much time tempting fate while on a ridiculous curve.
There was a river access past our house, so I was forbidden to run during the weekends due to the idiots hauling boats and going 60 mph on a curvy road they’ve never driven before. Now that I think about it, most people drove it that fast and shouldn’t have. I was an open target on the side of the road at any hour of the day.
My music consisted of a sad fm/am walkman that only got reception in certain areas. I had to pretend it was a DJ mix of N*Sync slowly morphing into Kenny Chesney then into static then into Third Eye Blind then back to more static.
And watch out for the neighbors’ dogs! The ones you always heard going crazy as they were penned up behind the house. But sometimes, just sometimes, they were running around loose. This forced me down to a cautious walk (if I wasn’t walking already). Any sudden movement and they would surely bite my face/arms/legs off.
Then there was the off-chance you’d pass someone else walking/running. Stop immediately. Talk about the weather. Family. Neighbors (they did WHAT?!?!). The construction in your backyard (because EVERYONE has noticed and wants to know). More about the weather. And back on your way you went.
This entire experience was probably a 30-minute ordeal and maybe 4-5 minutes were spent legitimately running.
No wonder I didn’t have warm fuzzy feelings towards the sport.
Yes, I called running a sport. We can debate that statement at a later time.
But times have changed. Now I willingly get up to run. And am sort of good at it (relative to my highschool days). Chicago is flat. The streets are straight. And have sidewalks. Crosswalks exist. Dogs are leashed. Acknowledgement of fellow runners is done so solely with a small wave/smile.
It’s a more productive and less dramatic experience. Maybe even tranquil when done so in the early morning hours.
Except for when running into random doors. That hurts.
This morning there were no doors. Just me doing my thing in the *almost* perfect weather. For 4.2 miles.
Glorious.
The only bad thing? There are a lot of coffee shops and bakeries. I’m not one to often crave donuts or bagels, but when you’re a couple of miles in and haven’t had breakfast yet? It’s rough. (#firstworldproblem)
And sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder if it would be fun again to run like the dogs were chasing you. Like Phoebe did on “Friends”. You know the one.
Run safe, everyone.
Laters!
Filed under: Running Randomness Tagged: | early morning running, fitness, Morning workouts, running, running in urban vs. rural areas
I ran through the intersection at Lincoln and School street this morning and all I could smell was Dinkel’s. NOT FAIR.
Me too! I bet we passed each other. I hope I waved… lol
I liked this post. It’s very creative, if ya know what I mean
. Also, I like to picture high school you running now. That’s not creepy.
It wasn’t pretty. I like to think I have a little more grace than I did back then. It’s highly unlikely, but let’s pretend.
I love this post. It reminds me very much of when I started running. Except I had sidewalks, and didn’t have to worry about idiots with boats. But neighbors always wanted to stop and talk, and I did the run/walk thing and NEVER got any better. I even had the little handheld walkman radio. Oh the good old days.
Such snobs we’ve become with our running the entire time and ipods and unsocial behavior… ha!
That sounds a lot like my experience running for the longest time. I did eventually get to the point where I could run miles continuously without stopping, but it was short-lived.
I think I first “met” you when you were running crazy amounts for training! Short-lived, my ass…
“laters, babe”
your move, Bax.
It’s hilarious that we are able to reference so much considering how repetitive the books are… how is that possible?
You know, I can’t remember when I started actually running (not that I really run a ton now). I remember being good at the mile when I was in junior high…I think that’s when I peaked.
I ran a decently fast mile when I did jr high track one year, too!
Then I decided I hated it. Super ironic now….
The weather was PERFECT running weather this morning. Too bad my legs were screaming at me from yesterday’s workout. Oh well, it’s nice walking weather too
When you work out in the morning, you don’t eat anything first? I’ve never been able to work out in the morning because I’m too hungry.
It really depends if I have something in my stomach or not. Most of the time, during the week, I don’t. Or maybe just grab a handful of pretzels beforehand. However, on the weekend with my longer runs/workouts, I always eat beforehand. Weird habits…
I love hearing your running beginnings! Your high school runs sound really adventerous. Nothing wrong with all that stopping to chat/walk. I am happy you were able to update the tunes though
Haha running through the heart of the city definitely has its perks and downfalls, but nothing beats running along the lake shore
so it’s all worth it.
This is true- the lakefront has such a gorgeous view!
I have zero patience for crosswalks. That would be the reason I got a jaywalking ticket. I wish I was kidding!! I really got a jaywalking ticket.
Still love the city though…
Are you serious? I always thought jaywalking tickets were a myth! ha ha
This definitely made me think back to when I started running and you’re right, it’s great to get up now and do it bc you want to!
I love that episode of Friends where Rachel won’t run with Phoebe, hilarious.
Enjoy running in your city, I miss finishing a run in Chicago and hittin up a Jamba Juice.
Haha – oh those were the days. My sad little am/fm arm radio thing was awful. Keep the Kenney and Third Eye Blind, but sub Backstreet Boys, and I’m right there with ya!
I love looking back on my old school running days! I had one of those Discman Sport’s with the hand strap. Shit was the bomb. I carried it until the end of my freshman year of college. I am that awesome.