Being A Runner Means It's Easy To Make Friends

Last night I attended the retirement party of my former supervisor and good friend, Larry S.  Blair is working all weekend, so it was just me. I knew a couple of people of the 40 to 50  in the room, but most were strangers. This doesn't bother me, as I don't mind introducing myself and making conversation.

Still, I was happy to see a man named Dave  who I know to be a serious runner. I didn't realize quite how serious until I started talking to him. Dave--who I'm guessing is in his late 50's--has blown past marathons and regularly does 40 and 50 mile trail races. (Trail runners, I am learning, are a breed apart from pavement runners.)

I reintroduced myself to Dave, mentioned I'd just taken up running last year and was set to do my first marathon this year. His eyes lit up and BAM! We were off in a corner yakking about running and races and PR's and shoes and gels and training and everything else running related for the rest of the evening.

It's a runner's blessing and curse. Nothing is so interesting in life as talking about running, which makes it incredibly easy to sit down in a corner and chat with a perfect stranger for five hours. However, it's off-putting to people around you who don't take an interest in the sport. I was amused this past week when my neighbors and I went for a run and a friend from out of town joined us. After our 40 minute run, we stood outside and were chatting. Another neighbor who loves to talk came over, but within 10 minutes she wandered back home. Why? We were gushing about races and weather and times and boring the pants off her, I'm sure.

The good news is, I'm meeting Dave and a woman he runs with on Wednesday for a trail run--my first. The woman is looking for a running partner and sounds about my speed, so Dave will be there to introduce us. Plus, I'm determined to find people to run with. I simply run faster, stronger, and longer when I'm with someone. I'm much more likely to crap out when I'm on my own.  My neighbor should be good for runs during the week, there are running clubs that do long runs on weekends (although most run on Saturdays and I much prefer Sundays), and I'm in town on Wednesdays, so if this woman and I hit it off, there's another running partner and a trail run once a week might be a nice change of pace.

Today looks to be perfect running weather--it's gray and overcast but not cold. I think I'll give my neighbors a call and see if they're up for a long Sunday run.

Making it Happen

Blair drove into Greensboro this morning for a haircut, so I rode along and had him drop me off at Battleground Park for a run. I hopped out of the car at 7 AM, jogged for 46 minutes, then walked for 10 minutes until he pulled in to get me.

It was a lovely morning. Crisp but not freezing. Older people were bundled up with scarves and hats walking dogs of all ages and sizes. A few running groups and individual runners were out but not the throngs of runners that tend to show up closer to 8-9 AM. The runners and I nodded a "aren't we out here early" grunt at one another as we passed.

I used to live in the apartments behind Battleground Park when I first moved to Greensboro. That's how I lost my weight from college. I was new to town and knew no one, so I spent many a Saturday and Sunday walking, then eventually jogging, the parks. Back then in my twenties, I used to jog one time or maybe one and half times around the park. Today, in my mid-30's, I whipped off 2 plus laps with little effort. I love being in better shape now then I was then.  I still need to get my speed up, but that will come with practice this summer.

It's still a battle of wills to get myself outside to do it. It was still dark out when I got dressed for the run this morning and I was thinking, "I could just stay home and run around here," knowing full well I wouldn't go as long or as far as I would if I were "stuck" in a park. Then driving there I was thinking, "I could just go sit in a Starbucks and sip hot coffee and read the paper while Blair gets his hair cut." But once I got there and started running, I was fine. I enjoyed it, had a great run, and was glad I went.

Pushing through. That's the key.

Running Music

My I-pod is in a little funk in that our computer refuses to recognize it. Which is killing me because I bought some new running music I'm eager to download.

I run to the oddest song choices. The song I'm dying to download (and which I'm grooving to on the computer at full volume as I type this) is "My First, My Last, My Everything" by the late, great Barry White. Brings back fond Ally McBeal memories. Good beat and good lyrics to run to.

My other songs of choice for running include:

• Crazy Train by Ozzy Ozborne. I was never a fan back in the day but dang--the guy can actually sing. And this is as close to the perfect running song I've ever found in terms of fun and tempo
• Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. This was blaring before the start of the half-marathon and I feel pumped every time I hear it. "With tramps like us, baby we were born to ruuuuuuuunnnnn.....!"
• Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood. Gotta get my country in. I've also got a little Dixie Chicks, Toby Keith and Sara Evans
• Veronica by Elvis Costello. LOVE this song. Great tempo and rather a sad, upbeat song all at once.
• She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer. I see the video in my mind as I run.
• Suddenly I see by KT Tunstall. Theme goodbye song from "So You Think You Can Dance."
• The Glamourous Life by Sheila E. - Bring back the 80's!!

That's a small sampling. Some days I run to Simon & Garfunkel or Olivia Newton John and there's a lot of Aerosmith.  What about my readers? What songs motivate you while you sweat? (At the gym, that is. Let's keep it clean, people...)

Marathon Mania

26.2 or bust! This is the year I run my first (note the inherent optimism in that statement) marathon. December 8th, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The same place I ran my half-marathon in December. That course is as flat as a pancake and I'm going to assume last year's 25 degree start weather was an abnormality (there's that optimism again).

The weather is turning nice and I'm itching to get outside and get running. I went to a local training store 's online site and printed off the marathon training schedule for beginners. July 22nd marks 20 weeks out from the week of the marathon and the day the "formal" training begins. Of course, I'll be huffing and puffing around town well before then. I want to run a 5k and 10k this spring.  Then I'll run a 1/2 marathon in October.

Funny how perspective changes. Last year all I could think was, "My God, I hope I can make it 13.1 miles without dying." Now it's "Oh, 13.1. That will be a nice little pre-marathon jog." Like there's no worries!

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and start driving into Greensboro this summer to run. My little town is just not scenic or fun to around. I can only summon so much enthusiasm to circle the K-Mart parking lot yet again. Parks and water and birds and nature are required for long runs. I hate driving 40 minutes to run for an hour, but I think that's what it's going to take.

I'm acting as if I'll make this marathon with no problem, but in truth I am worried. That's a long damn way to run. And I am not the most consistent runner. If it's raining or cold or Mars isn't aligned with Pluto, I can be inclined to blow it off. I think I like the idea of being a marathon runner more than I might like it in practice. But I'm going to do it! Last year I watched an 80-year old woman cross the marathon finish line. That pretty much kills any lame excuse I might be able to come up with.

Not that I won't try. CHEERS to everyone!