Thank God the weather cooled and we’re seeing highs in the mid-70s during the days and nights in the high 50s. I ran the long ten mile loop Sunday morning and didn’t have to wake up before 7 AM to do it. It was one of the nicest days I’ve seen in months and months. Got to give a shout out to Rushmore, a unit from the South Dakota National Guard which just redeployed last month, they are now under about 3 feet of snow. I am sure they would rather be there than here, but I got to tell ya, if you’re-a-running the weather is ultra nice here.
So there are lots of running events this week and next. The Friday 5K is moved from 530 AM to 4 PM and we are doing a 5K or 10K, runner’s choice (you just run the 5K loop twice for the 10K). Hell, I think there are even bibs and tees for that one. Then there is the Native America Heritage Run on Thanksgiving morning and of course the Friday 5K on the 28th, at 530 AM, I assume.
I really love running races; it’s just fun to run with other people. I am not fast enough to be competitive, just with myself. Maybe I am a social runner, somewhat at least. I know people who run for the sake of running and never pin a bib on, which I totally understand; it’s just nice to know there are people out there which enjoy the sport as much as I do – if not more. When you tell your buddy you just ran 10 miles and they respond with the ole, “I would run that far if I was being chased.” You know that is usually the end of any meaningful running conversation. And it doesn’t mean you don’t like them or anything, it’s just nice being around people you don’t have to explain yourself too or that make nasty comments about Body Glide for that matter.
So I am going a little marathon crazy. I can think of like four marathons I want to run next year: Little Rock, Lincoln, NYC, and White Rock. Maybe I’ll reel it in a little, but hell you only live once. I also have this nagging desire to run an Ultra or two. There is the Arkansas Traveler which is a 24 hour, 100 mile race in the Ozarks – this would put me in for the Western States – which is the ultimate goal of course. I mean that belt buckle is awesome.
Anyways, enough about next year, I have at least three races in the next week-and-a-half to help the time pass. By the way we do, do more than just run around in circle on COB Adder, but if you give me a free hour a day, that’s what I am going to do.
Filed under: Running
You say you are not competitive, but compared to me, I think you are, speed-wise. But I understand the feeling of just wanting to be around others who “get” it like you do. I have found that the best races I’ve had are the ones where I take a second to talk to a complete stranger running next to me, etc. I know I’m not going to win the prize money so why not try to enjoy the time, right?
Well, our weather in the Northeast of the US is much different from yours, at least today anyway. It was 25 out today with a lot of wind, so it felt like 5. So for the first time in many, many months, I decided to switch my long run to tomorrow, BECAUSE of the weather, not because of what I had on my schedule.
As for the ultra, I suggest doing a 50-miler first, and seeing if you like it. My brother thought he wanted to do a 100-miler, and then he did a 50-miler, and he was like, yep, maybe I should take a bit longer to train for a 100-miler. However, I’d say compared to running where you are, and getting used to that, maybe a 100-miler would be no sweat for you?!
Oh,and I’m glad to hear you guys do more than just run in circles.
I hope you will have a good Thanksgiving, despite not being able to spend it with your family. Christmas might be a different story, no?
I’m only training for my 2nd marathon and I’m already dreaming of Ultra’s and Triathlon’s! Today I watched the Ironman Hawaii Tri on tv and it was amazing! I hope you get to run Little Rock again, I plan to do the half next year!