I’ve made it my goal to run to work once a week, as I prepare for Around the Bay. While I can’t say that I’m overjoyed at the idea of waking up early in the dead of winter and dragging my sorry carcass to the office, it really hasn’t been as horrible as I thought.
I think that’s because, despite the cold, exhaust fumes and excessive number of hills I encounter during the 9K run, it’s kind of a novel experience. Three things really spice up this run:
Fear of death: My Dad is a regular reader of this blog, so I hesitate to write this, but my running route to work is not always, totally 100% safe. When I start my run at 7 a.m., it’s still dark, and about half of the run is on a busy road with no sidewalk and a curb buried in snow. So that means running on the road, beside distracted, under-slept drivers who are talking on their cell phones, checking their Blackberries, eating breakfast and arguing with their kids. While it’s a bit nerve-wracking sometimes, it also keeps me alert. I don’t even listen to my iPod, I’m so busy listening for the screech of car tires.
Peer pressure: At least three co-workers have mentioned that they have seen me running to work. And it’s a well known fact that I don’t actually look that good running. In fact, I think that recreational running should be a bit like AA – you don’t know someone’s in it unless you’re an addict as well. But if one of my colleagues does catch sight of me, I’d like to look fast. Or at least not slow. That’s an incentive not to let my shoulders sag or slow my pace. And if I do need to stop, I try to manage a high-velocity spit, so I look sporty.
Potential Spontaneous Dance Numbers: There’s lots of fun people-watching on a run to work. Recently, I’ve noticed how many people waiting for buses actually sing aloud to their MP3 music. I love this new development in human behaviour. It gives me hope that the run will turn into a show-stopping musical dance number, something like this:
Happy Most Depressing Day of the Year, everyone! Keep belting out those tunes.
Glad you're getting ready for Around the Bay. I'll have to bring the camera while I cheer you on!
Posted by: Teaching Kids Yoga | January 19, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I sometimes air drum while running. Does that count?
I run almost exclusively on sidewalks. I know how often I've reached down to pick up my cell phone and found my car spitting up gravel on the side of the road and thought "geez, glad no one was walking there."
Posted by: Nitmos | January 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM
My mom reads my blog too - makes me VERY cautious about what I write nowdays, but it's probably a good thing :)
Posted by: Laura | February 08, 2011 at 09:41 PM