Posts Tagged ‘running club’

I did it!  The planets didn’t realign and I’ve no plans to become a running club groupie but I had fun.  Took me a bit to warm up though, as we started the run I was thinking, “I dunno, this kind of sucks and is weird” because I wasn’t feeling a connection with anyone, but then one of the guys started talking to me which put me at ease.

About 2.5 miles in, our little group hit the water fountain but me and another girl kept going, ending up on our own for the rest of the run.  It turned out to be a perfect pairing; she had just done the NJ Marathon in that 90 degree hellfire, so we had lots to discuss marathon-wise and our paces were well-matched.

I discovered a sweet perk of running with someone: you can turn to them and ask, “Is my back straight?”  I’ve been trying to be more mindful about form since starting up core work so it was nice to get feedback (even if I did straighten myself up before I asked).

I also learned that the Tuesday group is almost all different people than the Saturday morning folks.  It’s a short run, about 4.5mi, and a quasi-speed thing (sounds more like a tempo from what was described).  Then Thursday is hill repeats, again just 4.5 mi total.  The only possible hitch with these runs is that they meet at 6:30pm and I like getting out during the day, but I’ll try ‘em both eventually.

As for pacing, we ended up running the bulk of it at 8:10-8:05s with the last couple miles @ 7:50.  We agreed we both ran faster than we would have solo, especially with me having done a tempo run the day before, but ’twas all good, body felt fine even if the conversation got a bit breathy.

Afterward, while waiting for the rest of the group to finish, my companion and I chatted with another girl for a long while, then a few more people joined in, then after everyone was reassembled, none of the gals wanted to go to the group coffee thing and I didn’t either, so we parted happy campers.

Total distance was 9.5mi and yesterday was a beautiful, albeit windy 13, netting me 67.5 miles for the week.  So pleased about this!  It means I can keep stuffing my face like a piglet.  More seriously – and forgive me for repeating this sentiment – it’s such a pleasure to feel this gung-ho again.

Life has settled down and with it, a most lovely event:  the last of the asshole neighbors moved out over the weekend, leaving the building 100% asshole free (aside from myself).

My apartment is still tiny, covered in stupid blue office carpet and today, I saw a trash bag go flying by my window (I’m on the top floor) because whoever lives in the building next to mine decided throwing trash out a window to land mid-sidewalk is a good enough effort on garbage pick-up day.  But I can deal with these annoyances now that the “enemy” vibe is gone.

This is good because it’s doubtful I’ll be able to move by September.  I’m holding steady money-wise (seems I build one area up and another loses steam) so no big income improvement yet and it looks like replacing my car will be all I’ll be able to handle this year.  Maybe it’s time to hang a picture.

More important than money though, it’s time to tackle the social aspect of life – something I’ve been reticent to face since I will always be my favorite company, but I need to shake things up  and start making an effort to get out and about, maybe stop turning down invitations from friends and even make some new ones.

To that end, I’m writing this here so I have witnesses:  This Saturday, I’m going to run with a local running group for the very first time.  There,  I said it and now I have to do it.  Shit.

I’m such a solo runner that the idea of talking to strangers on a run freaks me out, but I know it’s a good thing to do and the local group seems pretty cool from their message board, so I’ve really got no excuse.   In fact, I’m quite sure I’m going to like it quite a bit.  I think.  I hope.  eek