Adventures of a Six Mile Run

The first email I read when I arrived at work this morning was from my boss reminding me of the relay marathon I had signed up for. I've been training, right? Of course! If running means drinking, then yes, I have been training. I needed to go running, actual running, after work. One of my most favorite people introduced me to this website. It's freakin' awesome. You just plug in your address, it brings up a map of where you live, and you click where you're gonna go. It shows the mileage, you can save it, you can see where other people run - it's AWESOME.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/create/

Since it was the first day in awhile it was not snowing, raining, icing, freezing, or the like - I mapped myself out a nice six mile run. I was pretty exhausted after work, so I took a nap on the bus ride home. As soon as I walked in my door, I forced myself to throw on some spandex, strap on my kicks and take a nice healthy puff of my inhaler (yes, I have asthma).

As I ventured out, I realized I was not the only one. One nice day comes along and everyone feels the urge to get outside (and in my way), how dare them. First of all, I'm somewhat self-conscious of the way I run. During a pickup game of softball in high school, one of my friends laughed in my face saying "oh my GOD Smigs, you run just like Smigs!!".  He was referring to my older brother, whom he played football with. My brother is one goofy bastard and I don't want to run like him! I asked him what the fuck he meant by that, but I was holding a metal bat and he never responded. This was also the same friend that I hit so hard for making fun of my boyfriend that we didn't speak for two weeks. Ironically enough, I believe this was the same night I punched said high school boyfriend in the face - I warned him, and he deserved it. None of this involved alcohol and it certainly did not include the sketchy lake we used to have bonfires at.....

(Afore mentioned older Smigs)

Right, so I'm running and there are all these other people out running too. I am unsure of the proper Boston running etiquette when you cross paths with a fellow runner. Do you smile? Wave? Awkward head nod? I usually go with the head nod so if they don't reciprocate I can pretend I'm just looking up at the sky. And then you come across the random Hispanic guy wandering down the street that gives you the smile, wave and head nod. NO buddy, you're not running, you're not allowed to acknowledge my presence. I gave him a look of disdain instead.

I also like to push the limits on my pedestrian right of way. I don't look when I cross the street, I run in front of cars that are about to turn. I don't care! Go ahead and hit me! I have the right of way so I'll be able to take time off of work and get money from your insurance company. Plus, when they flip me off it pushes me to run faster.

That's another thing about running outside. There are way more instances to switch it up than on a treadmill. For example, the homeless people coming up? Yup, I'm going to sprint past them. The liquor store on my right? Hmm, maybe time for some "active rest".

By mile four I was starting to get a stitch - ugh, damn asthma. By that time I had made it all of the way up to Brighton Ave. Wow, bars sure do look different in the sober daylight!

I left my apartment at exactly 6:28 and returned at 7:15. Not bad.

I'm planning on hitting the gym before work tomorrow since I will be taking Friday off, kind of. I plan to get some cardio in on the Clery's dance floor.