The loneliness of the long distance runner

I have received a couple of email notes asking me to write about the sea, greyhounds, and running. Good idea, thanks for the inputs [and keep those inputs coming]! To tell you the truth, I don't feel like commenting about depressing war news or about crooks and liars ruining my country!

Let me start with my favorite sport of running. But what about if I write about MY running? As requested, a post on running! First, as you know, I recommend The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner written by Alan Silitoe. Today during my long distance run I was thinking about the book and the movie. I was also thinking about running with my old racing greyhound.

But today there was no "loneliness" during the whole run!

The following is from my "running memory log" dated 08/03/07:

Time to get ready, checked my running shoes, prepared my legs, military dog tag [with all emergency information] on, dark sport glasses on [for sun protection and to prevent insects from getting into my eyes], my old military utility hat on, all gear good to go. Cloudy morning with a cool breeze coming from the Pacific Ocean. I could not see the ocean at the distance due to the early morning fog [natural for this time of the year].

Left the house, heading west, keeping my pace low, and at a good [comfortable] pace. Less than a minute into the run I see one of my neighbors [on a daily basis he waits for me outside of his home to give me words of encouragement], this time he is wearing a Mexican sombrero.

Slowly down the hill, getting down to my first traffic light, had to stop due to the red light, running in place, a several cars went by, drivers waved at me. Green light, time to go! By the 1 mile mark I passed a young runner, I was impressed with her steady pace, we waved at each other and I kept on going. The downhill continues for 1.2 miles, I make a left turn at the second traffic light [this one is green and good to go]! Now heading south.

Steady as he goes, this time on a good, flat road. Feeling good, getting my second wind. Third traffic light is green, good to go. Fourth traffic light is green and there is no train inbound, careful with those railroad tracks, they are very dangerous and the terrain is uneven! Heading west again. Passing now on the southern side of a community park, two young female runners running around the perimeter, I see them daily, they are doing a good job, and they have made a lot of progress this summer.

Fifth traffic light is green, and good to go. There are a lot of plants on the sidewalk, and the road is uneven, careful on this area! I see the young college student walking in my direction, we see each other daily, we don't know each other by name, we just wave at each other and keep on going. Sixth traffic light is red, had to run in place, green light, now good to go! Now over the freeway over-pass, a lot of traffic there [and a lot of traffic below], watch out! Seventh [and final] traffic light is green and good to go. Careful crossing here, uneven terrain with several potholes!

Running now in an open area. By now the sun is breaking through the clouds and I see a lot of sweat dripping off my old military utility hat and off my "Navy" tank top. Only a couple of vehicles in the area, I wave at the very senior man driving the tractor [I respect him, at his age, he still works in the fields]. Now going uphill again, this time passing another bridge, a dried river bed below. I see a familiar face, the lady walking her three small dogs, we wave at each other. I reach the turning point and I feel really good, with a lot of sweat dripping over my glasses.

Now heading east with the sun hitting my chest, my head is well protected with my old military utility hat, the ocean breeze is now on my back. Running at steady pace. I continue on the same road, heading back to my home. Careful there, this time around there is an incoming train by the fourth traffic light! The train went by and my run continued, the road is mostly flat at this point.

The third traffic light was green, now heading to the second traffic light. I reach the second traffic light, it is green and good to go, I make a right turn, and this time I take a deep breath because I have a long hill ahead of me. For some reason the traffic is getting heavy and I see two speeding police cars, each heading in opposite directions, I wave at both patrolmen. I reach the first traffic light, this time the light is green and good to go. Time to keep running challenging the hill.

Steady as he goes, continue climbing the hill, pumping the arms and this time keeping my pace a few inches higher. I reach what some believe to be to top of the hill, but as I make a left turn the hill continues, I reach the actual top of the hill and keep on going, this time I feel really good. Sweating is now heavy, the old military utility hat is totally wet, my "Navy" tank top is soaked, my running shorts dripping sweat.

I make a right turn, running in the middle of the road at this point, I have to step to the side and let my friend's SUV go by, we wave at each other. I can now see my home just around the corner, I pick up the pace for a final sprint. My long distance workout is over. But before I call it a day, I take a nice, slow walk, around the block to warm down. Time to relax and to get ready to do it again tomorrow!

Closing notes.

I hope YOU enjoyed My run, because I really did!

Can you tell me how was YOUR workout today?