I haven't run with anyone in a long time. Well, (sorry if this sounds conceited) I haven't run with anyone who could really "get the engine pumping." Now, I used that cliche on purpose. You see, I sometimes sound like a train when I run. But not having run with anyone who could make me work hard enough to wheeze a little, I forget that not everyone expects to hear a locomotive struggling to get out of my lungs when I try to either run fast or uphill. Anyway, the asthma was not too bad today. I remembered to take my inhaler before, so I just wheezed a bit as we slowly trucked up the mtn.
I joined three guys who run a couple of times a week together. They're trying to make use of the bits of fall as winter keeps threatening to explode cold white stuff all over the trails, forcing them to either run in the city or don snowshoes. We ran up Leatham's Hollow and decided we gained 2700 feet of elevation in six miles, many of which were flat-ish. So, it wasn't especially painful, but it was our easy day thus we didn't push hard. For that, I am grateful because I would not have glimpsed more than a few back-kicks if they were running hard. I just hope they didn't slow down for me on the way down. I don't care about eating a little dust sometimes.
But, back to the asthma and the point of this week's blog. I just forgot that I'd have to explain the sound of my breath. One of them asked if I was okay, just a few minutes into the run. He was probably regretting my tagging along with them and thinking I'd never make it up the mtn, even at the slow pace. I mumbled something and kept on running and I guess he didn't hear me because a little later he asked again and I said, "Oh, it's just the asthma. That's normal. Not even very bad." "Ah," was probably the reply, but we soon got to the flatter section and I returned to quiet inhalation. But I think they began judging the steepness of the hills by my breath. "Oh, there she goes again. Must be getting steeper." I would have laughed or made a snide remark about me only sounding only like a toy train instead of the usual straining locomotive...but I didn't really have the breath for it.
I love running with people.
4 comments:
It is so awesome how you just love to run and you've done it for so many years! I need to gain some kind of drive for some sort of physical activity. I really enjoy running but I just lack motivation to keep with it long enough to improve. It's high time that I stick with it! Do you ever get sick of running what do you do then? Is it easier if you stick to some sort of schedule?
Yes, schedule schedule schedule. I prefer just getting up and going (consequently winter mornings are rough some days). Running buddies help too, but I almost always run by myself so sometimes my running buddy is my ipod. I listen to one playlist when I want to run hard and others when I'm not. Or books. I've "read" a lot of books while running. If I'm having a or ugh time facing a run one day, I find music or a book drown out the negative thoughts.
No, we weren't regretting bringing you. I just didn't want you to keel over and blame us :) After all, you almost beat Joe at SGM, so we knew you could keep up.
haven't been on here in a while (wasn't ignoring your comment). just wanted to say thanks for the confidence...
sorry i couldn't run with you guys today. i'm sure it would have been much more entertaining than running by myself...i don't get oddballs running by with their hands above their heads screaming like little girls too often. just with you guys.
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