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June 19, 2005
lost my keys ... found a love for running again
It was a perfect morning for running today. Blue skies, light breeze and 57 degrees at 8am this morning. I drove to the park where the marathon group meets with my sweatshirt on as I was still tired and a little cold. Parked the car, popped the trunk, locked the door and automatically put my keys in my sweat shirt pocket. While getting my water bottle out of the trunk, Pat came over and starting talking to me, after a few minutes I took off my sweatshirt through it in the trunk and promptly slammed it shut. Just as it closed I remembered the keys. Pat said not to worry they would drive me home after the run to get my spare set ... ah yes the spare set of keys. Well the spare set are locked in the trunk ... the original set of keys I accidentially through down the garbage shoot last month!
K came to the rescue, she has CAA membership and would call them out when we got back to break into my car ... problem solved! Now on with long run which I hadn't been looking forward to at all.
During the winter training group until I was injuried, I found that zone for running ... the effortless (well almost) rythym where you could run endlessly (well not really but you know what I mean). You know when you finish a run and think that was great, yeah I'm tired and muscles are sore, but I really enjoyed it. Well I haven't felt like that for sometime. I've had a couple runs where I felt my ankle was better or my cardio was improving, but I haven't said that was great ... more like I'm glad it's done. There have even been moments when I thought Chicago doesn't seem possible.
So with a mind full of negative thoughts, no keys and 9 miles ahead of us, I started off. We took the first mile very slow, it felt okay. On the second mile we (about 6 of us running together) picked it up. I began to drop back, my calves were extremely tight and breathing wasn't great. A couple of people slowed down to run with me, but I told them to go on and I would catch up ... eventually. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I was secretly thinking if I lose them I'll just turn around and go home ... oh but wait I can't I don't have any keys!!!!
After about 15 minutes running alone, I had to stop to cross a main road. Janet had caught up to me, we ran together to the park, where we had to cut through. She suggested we stop in the park and stretch maybe that would help my legs. Janet is obviously an angel sent from heaven ... it was just what I needed (and would never of thought of myself). After 5 minutes for stretches my legs were much looser. We headed out again, now onto a country road,very forest gump. At the end of the road is the turnaround and a waterstop. The coach of the group hides big jugs of water, eload and bottles of coke for us to refuel.
You are probably saying ... coke ... yuck! I did for the first 6 or so long runs, then I finally had some ... it is like rocket fuel, and now I swear by it. We are not talking a bottle or a cup full more like a shot size, just enough sugar to boost your energy.
About 1/2 mile from the turnaround my group were running back, they shouted words of encouragement. I realised how far I had fallen behind. After a quick break, enough to refill my waterbottle and have a shot of coke-a-cola I headed back. Maybe it was the coke or finally the spell was broken, but suddenly I was back at the park, effortlessly back at the park. I had found that really comfortable pace. I kept going, I could see some runners way ahead. I concentrated on them, soon they got closer. I turned onto the road that leads back to the park where we started, only 2 more miles to go. I was still feeling great. Just before the park, I caught the runners that were ahead of me. We ran into the park together, my group was there on the grass, all looking surprised to see me. K said they had just got back less than 2 minutes ago (I forgot to start my watch so I don't have split times) but I must have made some serious time up on the way back.
K had called the CAA, they showed up and were attempting to open the passenger door ... 10 minutes no luck ... 15 minutes hmmm car thiefs are faster than this ... 20 minutes CAA man looking very frustrated. His big truck with the engine on was blocking a couple people in, luckly no one was in a hurry especially me. Our coach went over to offer some help (maybe he was a car thief before becoming a coach). 25 minutes CAA man and coach now frustrated. Then a lady in the group goes over and asks the CAA man to turn off his truck (not an unreasonable request) he says well maybe I'll just leave ... and he does! Drives off ... my car still locked! I sit open mouthed for a minute ... then I remembered I gave my parents a key when I got the car!
Called my dad, they have the key ... YIPPEE ... slight change to Father Day plans, I was supposed to go there. They will come to town (they live about an hour away) and save stranded daughter.
After a well earned breakfast on a patio, my car was opened, and my dad was happy to be needed, I headed home to make him a strawberry pie and remember the wonderful run I had today!
Posted by Ali at June 19, 2005 5:15 PM
Comments
I can't BELIEVE CAA just left. That's wild.
Sounds like you had an outstanding run, though!
Posted by: warren at June 20, 2005 10:38 AM
yeah, great run and what a cool present for your dad. what a great gift to get..."dad, i need you."
i bonked on remembering the recipe, so i'll have to send it to you this week.
Posted by: jeff at June 20, 2005 2:52 PM
Great run, Ali. A little corn syrup and caffeine can do wonders for muscles looking for a little energy source. You know when you think about, its not much different from ceffeinates energy gels, so why not Coke. And the coke has water in it too! Hmmmmm. I may even try some. :)
Glad you got into your car again and total booooo for the CAA loser.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at June 21, 2005 2:52 PM