Today I did something for the first time here; I ran the streets! Most of you know that I love running outside through neighborhoods and cities. I'm not a fan of tracks or treadmills. I prefer to feel like I'm traveling when I run. Before today the last time I ran the streets was in Texas in early August. I was nervous about running here because I didn't expect there to be sidewalks or traffic lights for pedestrians, I thought the traffic would be too bad, and I wasn't sure how people would react to a woman running alone in spandex. (My shoulders and knees were covered, of course.)
However, this morning I did it out of necessity because Woody had an early meeting and we have only the one car, so he dropped off Griffin and me early, and I had to find a way back home from Griffin's school. I've had my fill of taxis, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to try running the streets.
I knew it would be hot, so I wore my hat and carried water. I also had my phone in case I needed to call a cab or a friend for help for whatever reason. However, it wasn't much hotter than Texas, so I didn't need much water, and I didn't need my phone, but I'm glad I had it because I got this picture of myself running home:
Running the streets here is a lot like running them in Arlington, Texas. Most of the way was paved with wide sidewalks, and intersections had crosswalks and walk lights/signs. Because of this, the traffic really didn't affect me. In the few places where there weren't sidewalks, there were wide shoulders, so I still didn't have to run in traffic.
One of my fears was that I was afraid I would stick out too much since I really haven't seen any women running around here. I stuck out as much as I stick out when I run back in the States, which, yes, is kind of a lot. A person running in the heat is going to be noticed because, come on, it's kind of a crazy thing to do. :) So yes, people in their cars stared some, and I got one honk. But I got honked at and stared at a lot more back home. It's one of the things you get used to as a runner. In fact, I forgot how much I missed it. I have a bit of performer in me (hence my profession as teacher), and it satisfies that need a little.
My only real complaint about running here was that I have to run in capri pants. Back home I ran in short shorts in weather as cold as 50 degrees (that was my tights/shorts cut-off temp). But running in 90+ degrees in hot black capris is just hot. It would be so much more tolerable in shorts. But hey, it is what it is, and at least I can run, and at least I can wear short sleeves.
So now that I know I can run easily outside here, I feel like got a piece of myself back. And I also now have a lot of work to do. I realized how out of shape my lungs are after today. Running inside on a mill is somehow different for the lungs than running outside. It's hard to explain, but I feel like my lungs are out of shape, so now I'll have to start planning training runs outside to get back in shape!
However, this morning I did it out of necessity because Woody had an early meeting and we have only the one car, so he dropped off Griffin and me early, and I had to find a way back home from Griffin's school. I've had my fill of taxis, so I thought it might be a good opportunity to try running the streets.
I knew it would be hot, so I wore my hat and carried water. I also had my phone in case I needed to call a cab or a friend for help for whatever reason. However, it wasn't much hotter than Texas, so I didn't need much water, and I didn't need my phone, but I'm glad I had it because I got this picture of myself running home:
Running the streets here is a lot like running them in Arlington, Texas. Most of the way was paved with wide sidewalks, and intersections had crosswalks and walk lights/signs. Because of this, the traffic really didn't affect me. In the few places where there weren't sidewalks, there were wide shoulders, so I still didn't have to run in traffic.
One of my fears was that I was afraid I would stick out too much since I really haven't seen any women running around here. I stuck out as much as I stick out when I run back in the States, which, yes, is kind of a lot. A person running in the heat is going to be noticed because, come on, it's kind of a crazy thing to do. :) So yes, people in their cars stared some, and I got one honk. But I got honked at and stared at a lot more back home. It's one of the things you get used to as a runner. In fact, I forgot how much I missed it. I have a bit of performer in me (hence my profession as teacher), and it satisfies that need a little.
My only real complaint about running here was that I have to run in capri pants. Back home I ran in short shorts in weather as cold as 50 degrees (that was my tights/shorts cut-off temp). But running in 90+ degrees in hot black capris is just hot. It would be so much more tolerable in shorts. But hey, it is what it is, and at least I can run, and at least I can wear short sleeves.
So now that I know I can run easily outside here, I feel like got a piece of myself back. And I also now have a lot of work to do. I realized how out of shape my lungs are after today. Running inside on a mill is somehow different for the lungs than running outside. It's hard to explain, but I feel like my lungs are out of shape, so now I'll have to start planning training runs outside to get back in shape!
1 comment:
I just realized that that honk probably wasn't for me at all. People just honk a lot here. It was probably just traffic-related.
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