Since the end of the school year, I've been trying to get back into the swing of things with being a runner. This past year was a bit insane in terms of my schedule, so running had to take a little bit of a back seat. I just wasn't consistent enough. So every morning for the last 2 weeks I've rolled out of bed and gone for a run. I've noticed some things about myself that have changed since 7th grade, but some that haven't.
1. When I run up a hill, I curse the cars that go speeding by me. I've done this forever. If you pass me in your speedy car while I'm hauling myself up a hill at a snail's pace, I'll mumble some ugly words your way and probably give you a glare.
2. When I get tired, I put my head back, like I'm too tired to hold it up. This is stupid as it doesn't provide me with any renewed energy. I remember in high school overhearing some other team's coach tell one of their girls to watch for when I put my head back because it meant I was tired and she could pass me. So apparently it was a dead giveaway.
3. My knee hurts. It hurt then and still hurts now, though now it's worse and blows up to the size of a cantaloupe on a regular basis. Nice, right? Ice and advil are my runnig BFFs.
4. I still hate running in muggy weather. Who doesn't? Right now, if I get out the door between 7-8:30, I'm good because though it's muggy, there is a breeze. In the next couple of weeks though, Columbia will be so hot and muggy and the air won't be moving at all. I'm dreading that.
5. I still can't keep up with boys and get annoyed that they can be all silly while running and not die. When I ran cross country a million years ago, there was this boy who I ran with sometimes. He would run through people's front yards, hurdle over for sale signs, shrubs, dance around stop signs. It was funny, but I remember thinking that if I tried to do all that, I would die. Now, when I go run with Will, he does the same thing. We run on some trails at a park nearby. I'm already a klutz on bumpy trail ground, but to top it off I have to watch him act all crazy, running in front of me, jumping over the dog, swinging on branches, all while I'm trying to not fall over, twist my ankle, or lie down and cry in general.
6. I still really like to listen to music while I run. Back in the day, it was all about the radio. Now, it's all about Pandora. I really think it's dangerous though because I get so into the music, I forget to look both ways and have almost gotten creamed by a car on a couple of occasions. Therefore, I've been running sans music, which is sad.
7. Since forever, I give myself pep talks while I run. Not about running, but about life stuff. Whatever it is. I also give other people imaginary lectures. Especially if they are being really stupid and need a lecture, but for whatever reason, no one can really give them one. In retrospect, this seems lame, but it's what I do and have forever.
8. My biggest motivation to run is still because my sister does it. I still want to do everything she does. Here we are, and for some reason I have a giant, fake grin on my face. That must be my "I want to fall over but there's a camera" face.
9. And here's what's different about running as a 30 year old vs. running as a 13-18 year old: I'm slower, I require food/water before a run and sometimes in the middle depending on length, I do it in an effort to be healthy (and not die of heart disease)rather than to get faster or participate in a race.
It's good to know the majority of things stay the same.
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