Yesterday was one of those days where you blink and next thing you know, it’s 5:15pm and everyone’s heading out of the office. (For the record, I love those days.) But they always leave me feeling a little extra beat, not exactly in the mood to run to the gym for an hour or so and then race home to make dinner. Plus, I had a water bottle incident the day before that I was still brooding about. (Listen, lady, if you drink from another person’s water bottle, don’t just wipe it with your sweaty towel and make a joke about how you “don’t have any diseases!”, like you would ADMIT it if you did!? Also, you should offer to replace that person’s water after it’s been felated by your sweaty mouth, and no doubt back-washed into. Especially if said person is a bit of a hypochondriac. End rant.)* So instead of hitting the gym, I went straight home and grabbed the pup, determined to give this running thing another try.
I started off slow, remembering to just breath and that it wasn’t a race. I fell into a pace that didn’t make me hate the world, and kept it up, only stopping to avoid small children chasing rogue soccer balls and so Mac could do his business. After my friendly Nike Plus app voice/lady said the words “three miles”, I stopped running and victoriously walked back to the car. I was tired and sweaty and a little sick of dodging other people’s hyper unsupervised kids, but I actually felt pretty great. I didn’t run very fast or very far, but I ran and I didn’t hate it.
I think the problem is that the competitive/maximizer side of me thinks that if you don’t run OMGSOFAST or super far, then it’s not good enough so why bother. Much like many other areas of my life, sometimes I just need to slow down and enjoy the moment, and be proud of little victories.
Plus what’s sweeter than a pooped little pup after a run? That face alone is worth it any day.
*Just to clarify- she and I had the same water bottle, so it was an accident, but still. Once someone tells you “Hey stop that’s my water bottle!” I still think you should offer to replace it.
August 16, 2012 at 7:05 am
I would have thrown the water bottle away. The end.
August 16, 2012 at 8:14 am
Agreed completely!
August 16, 2012 at 7:27 am
Jessica i agree, enjoy your accomplishments no matter how large or small they are, you went out and had a run that you felt good about, thats all that matters! Haveing fun!
August 16, 2012 at 7:31 am
Good job Jess! Running only gets easier when you keep it up…Even if I take a month off my miles are thaaat much harder.
August 16, 2012 at 7:53 am
My run was extra tough yesterday – only hit 2.5 but still felt accomplished.
August 16, 2012 at 7:57 am
That is exactly why I have to run “naked” sometimes… No phone, no Garmin, no nothing telling me how fast I’m going.
August 16, 2012 at 8:03 am
That lady did what?! Wow. There are no words.
And great job on the run. I did a little over 2.5 miles the other day, and at first, I was a bit disappointed because the number wasn’t higher. But then I caught my self breathing hard and sweating profusely. That’s when I realized it was worth every step!
August 16, 2012 at 8:31 am
Great job with your run!
I totally get what you mean with the whole “maximizing” thing. It’s like, if I’m not gonna burn a billion calories, I may as well just sit on the couch, which is crazy.
August 16, 2012 at 8:35 am
Good job! You’re right; its my hypercompetitive nature that makes running so mentally difficul. It’s my faulty, osteoporidic (word?) hips that makes it physically difficult. I say if its working for ya, go with it – but don’t make yourself crazy over it love.
August 16, 2012 at 9:13 am
That is not a little victory! Nice job, Jess!
And, um, water bottle woman? Ew. RUDE
August 16, 2012 at 9:28 am
Who drinks out of someone else’s water bottle? I’m appalled.
I have only run one mile since I started “wanting to run again”. You lapped me three times, so in essence you did run SUPER far
August 16, 2012 at 9:37 am
Great run! I’m the exact same way about being competitive. Deep down I know that not every run needs to be a race, but I usually push it just a bit too hard anyway. Perhaps this is why I’m injured all the friggin time… sigh
August 16, 2012 at 9:40 am
Ewwwwwww. I don’t even like people I’m related to sharing my water bottle. Ick. I totally would have told her to keep it.
And good for you for keeping up with this running thing. You are a stronger female than I.
August 16, 2012 at 12:54 pm
I’m the same way about running- I never actually pace myself and I’m sure every time I go out it would qualify as a tempo run and thus it becomes relatively unpleasant. Good job giving it another go!
August 16, 2012 at 1:38 pm
A tired dog is a good dog! Congrats on the running.
And the H20 bottle story–Ew.
August 16, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Ummmm . . . that water bottle story is horrifying. I’d be pissed right off.
But I’m very excited that you had a good run.
August 18, 2012 at 2:25 pm
I would GAG if someone I didn’t know drank from my water bottle. I would also probably freak the F out on her. I got meningitis when I was 13 years old from drinking after a friend at camp. That little sip landed me in the hospital for 8 weeks in a very serious situation. I do not like people drinking after me. I would have been LIVID.
August 18, 2012 at 11:03 pm
MOMMYJACKING! When I started running again after the bebeh it was pretty humbling to run/walk .75 and feel accomplished. But taking it nice and easy ensures you don’t burn out or hurt yourself. It’s the people who go out and try to see how far they can haul ass are the ones who aren’t runners for very long.
August 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm
*who aren’t. God that was horribly written. And I’m not even drunk. =(