December 6, 2007

Thursday, December 6, 2007
Today would have been a great day to take off. Firstly, I’m tired from trying to fight off this cold. It’s been pretty mild, just some sinus congestion, which led to the lung congestion and coughing. But the coughing has been getting worse, and now my throat is getting sore. Add to this my afternoon playground/bus duty, and I didn’t get home until 4:00, meaning I couldn’t possibly get out before dark. I can’t even swim tonight, because there’s a semi-formal for the entire school district tonight at the fancy resort up the road. It starts at 5:30. As much as I’d love to recline, maybe nap, I put on the gear, do a nice 10 minute stretch, and head out the door (with reflective vest, of course). Oddly enough (or mayhaps not so odd), I felt great while running. A blissful half hour without coughing. On the way past the resort, I wave to the Superintendent, who’s getting there 15 minutes early, no doubt to check on the food, and stop for a minute to greet a couple other teachers. “I didn’t know you were a runner!” There’s a sentence I don’t like to hear. Can you imagine? You know somebody for 14 months, and she doesn’t know the one thing that most defines me. Yet how would she? Anyway, I headed back down the road, still feeling good. My legs have really enjoyed the rest from swimming 4 of the last 6 days, and the coughing and congestion cleared up within about 4 steps. Best of all, the road now has its winter patina of dried snow, so it’s much easier on the legs, yet still has good traction. I continue truckin’ on down the road, enjoying the night, when a car passes me from behind, then slows down and stops. It’s three members of my track team, just getting home from an after school workout. They drive alongside me as I run, and we chat about track, school and stuff. I told them I’ve been running for the last month, partly because I need to be able to run with them in the spring, because there’s a lot of technical work I want them to do early in the season (hr, breathing patterns, stride rate, mechanics, etc.) which is much easier to do with them while running. It was a great way to end the run, talking track with kids who love track. Funny thing is, two of them are my neighbors on opposite sides (not within sight from the house, but still pretty close). 2.8 miles, no time, no care. Tomorrow I could go over 100 miles. Quick shower, put on the Canali, and I made it to the party by 5:45.
I’m glad I ran.