As I’ve been training for an upcoming half marathon, I’ve actually started to enjoy my long run days. I like the feeling of running at a slow comfortable pace without worrying about time. Plus, I get to see my town in a different way than I do when cruising by in a car.
Along the way, I’ve learned some important lessons:
- It doesn’t matter that I look like a complete moron, it is important to pull my short hair back out of my eyes.
- Getting away from everything has a cathartic feel. This is my only real alone time.
- I now have proof that I’m not a witch - and apparently, I’m not all that sweet – as nothing happens to me when it rains.
- The *seedier* parts of town have really entertaining things on the ground. How does a magenta, flowery bra end up in the road?
And used condoms? - Splashing water from a water bottle scares away most dogs.
- There are a lot of idiot drivers
who apparently got their license from a cereal boxout on the road. - Despite what most people told me, I do NOT crave salad and other healthy foods while running. I do; however, think a lot about Doritos, hamburgers, and bread pudding.
- The shuffle feature on my iPod is awesome and makes it feel completely natural to follow a Smithereens’ song with one by Otis Redding.
- Stick with a bland breakfast. No more jalapenos with my eggs on the morning of my long run. This is an important one.
And I probably need to send an apology to the dude who has the nice yard where I herked a little.
So, there. I really am getting ready for that Princess Marathon at Disney in March. Now I need some ideas for how to decorate my shirt for the big event. Any suggestions?
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47 comments:
So THAT's where the bra went.
I have be contentious here, but I'm not going to run OR have a bland breakfast.
I'm going to completely ignore all that running stuff (mostly because I'm a tad ashamed I can't do it) and concentrate totally on the Doritos, hamburger and bread pudding.
Well, and the herking. I can't comment without mentioning that one. :^D
Good lessons learned. I LOVE your little animated runner.
yeah, I get tired running the vacuum, so actual running...never gonna happen.
you just gave me a Smithereens craving... it's been years since I've listened to them!
Very funny.
And a Princess Marathon??
You've got to go with a frog theme on your shirt.
Princess marathon? Really?! Can I send you a crown??? I have so many of them! I'll totally take it when Sprite's sleeping, she'll never know!
I con't know what people wear on their shirts, I'll have to look that up, but have a great time at Disney. A lot of people enjoy those runs.
I think I'm going to have to break down and get an iPod. Walking with a portable CD player is OK but there's always a problem with it. I did not know about the jalapeno/herking connection. Will bear that in mind. Also, I love your running gadget, she's really cute.
Yes, running is your only time alone. I jogged too, whenever I could, long enough to feel my own body's aches, rather than everybody else's.
Besides, you're giving yourself a chance to rebuild body and soul.
Well done for doing this :) Always admire anyone who has the strength and commitment to do long distance running!
Wow this is amazing. I am so proud of you..
So, I'm not the only one who thinks about food while I run?! Oh, that's right, I don't run!
So, I'm not the only one who thinks about food while I run?! Oh, that's right, I don't run!
haha. lovely insights...seedier parts of town do have great sights...there was a lady on a mattress under a tree once when i was jogging in miami...yep dont jog much anymore...worse than yacking jalepenos.
I'm the same way about breakfast before shoveling snow or riding the bike. Hubby can eat before both these activities but I will throw up if I eat before. Even oatmeal. I have had a couple iPods several years and love the shuffle on them. I use iPod music with head phones on my exercise thingy. Not running though. Cannot do it. When we go for a walk we must have big bad doggie magnets on our foreheads, they scare us and then I have to pee. So then we have to hurry home.
I wish I could run. I tried, I really did. My knees don't like it. I may try again when the snow melts. Your running posts are so inspiring...
:-)
I totally think you should wear a pink Snuggie.
Wow! A half marathon. You are my hero. Me? Well, I only run when chased.
WELL DAMN I MAY now have an excuse to drive up to disney in march!
Loved this post and it is about time I got off the computer this morning and went out. I run a bit, but mostly walk...
I love when I'm running, biking, or walking around town. It's true....you really do get a better sense of where you are at. It's a lot of fun! Also good for you for attempting the marathon!
You do start to wonder what's going on out there, but it's probably best we don't know too much.
I used to run before an injury that has stopped me. I remember the hunger from running, but also the high!
Decorate? Go find that magenta bra and give it a good washing.
I envy you for doing a half marathon. I run too, but certainly not for that long a distance. And I do enjoy the 'getting away' part of it. No cell phone, no people, just me and my thoughts.
OH, I give you so much credit! I ran for a few years, never so far as you, but my knees have started to complain, so I stick to biking and swimming. I'm glad you don't melt in the rain!
Dogs are things that would actually make me run!
I always hate finding condoms outside.
I laughed about the bread pudding.
yep
the food before the run is an important deicison
Good for you!! However you choose to decorate, be SURE to put your name in HUGE letters on your shirt. Unless you have a hard to pronounce name - then use a fake name...one to two syllables. One that's easy for the crowd to yell when cheering for you!
yes - the jalapeno omelette lesson is an important one to learn early on in the training. you know what is great if you do a long training run? Those "Goo" packets - the energy gels. They give you a real boost mid-run.
Kiran
okay, now i am really impressed. i guess i did already know that you are a runner, but i had no idea about the 1/2 marathon (see? i only pretend to pay attention)!! yes, shuffle rocks, and i can see how the element of surprise might be good when doing something monotonous (like running).
ok, well so much for us running "together"....I think you'll be FAR ahead of me as I have not ran more than 5.55 miles and here you are posting 11+ miles...eeeks. I just don't have the time for the long runs...lesson learned...won't sign up for another one of these for a while.
i love your observations from your long runs however. always amusing. i have no idea what I'll wear for the race either...probably nothing all that exciting...I did want a shirt from onemoremilerunning.com though....might have to get one still.
I don't run because it makes me herk a little, too.
But I did love all of the things that went through your head.
How about a picture of you herking a jalapeno egg in that dude's yard?
The shirt should say, "www.whatishouldhavesaid.blogspot.com"
hahahaha....okay, what I mean is, the shirt should have the name of your blog on it...sheesh...haha
This was funny, especially the part about not being a witch or too sweet! Oh, the deep thoughts we think while exercising!!
Your shirt should reference the fact that you're A QUEEN among princesses....and it should definitely have your blog address on it!
Since I live in the seedier part of town here, I see flowery bras and condoms on lawns all the time and I don't even have to run to do it.
somethin' somethin' for ya at my place. http://leclaw.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-101.html
way to get your run on, lady. I'm so impressed.
Oo! Next time, aim the jalapeno herk at the bra, so the next runner will really wonder.
Geesh,you've made it sound so good, I may have to start running. Hmmm?
If you splashed water at my dog, Mayzie, she would think it was a game and you'd have a running partner.
I always knew that I liked you Beth but having Otis Redding on your ipod seals the deal. :-) Got any Jason Mraz?
when I used to run, I couldn't eat two hours b4 or after or I got the worst stomachache. I miss running. boy do I
Hope you'll have enough stamina left to run over to my place in the morning to pick up an award I'll have waiting there for you!
It's amazing what you can learn from running, isn't it!!!
I never craved healthy foods when training for my marathon. Most of the time my running partner and I would talk about alcohol and our favorite junk foods.
So it's not too cold outside? And OMG - you're running a half-marathon? You go, girl! That's so awesome!
I didn't know Disney had a marathon in March too! I thought they just had the January one. I'd love to do a marathon in Disney one day. And maybe I'll be able to walk well enough to actually use the free day at the park that you get for participating!
I'm not sure what your shirt should look like, but I'm pretty sure since it's a Princess Marathon that you are required to wear pink, glitter and/or sequins, and some sort of feathery boa materials.
great list! definitely need a tiara - you can use it to hold your hair back!
I'm back & you've been missed!
I love lists. This is a great one. Do you run faster through the shadier parts of town>
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