Yesterday noon it was only 7C/45F outside. By the time I got home it was up to 13C/55F, and by the time I ran with the running club at 6 p.m. it was up to 15C/59F – what’s up with that? In any case I was dressed far too warm as I arrived at the running club’s trailhead. I was not alone, this seemed to be the hot topic for the night, no one seemed to be prepared for the rapid change from near freezing temperatures over the last few days to a near heat wave.
In any case this was my first run in the dark with the running club. When I arrived I asked if they ran with lights or how it works – their reply, “No we don’t use lights, we know the way!” Okay, I just hope its not hunting season…
It turned out to be a pleasant experience. I took off with a group of about 8-10 runners, hanging in the middle because I tend to be the one that trips over everything in the dark. The group ran slower than normal, which was fine with me, and the chatter rate was much higher than normal. We finished the approx. 11K/6.8M loop in about 1:05:00 according to someone that set their stopwatch (mine stopwatch died on Monday).
After going home, showering and changing I rejoined the group at a local restaurant for the monthly “Stammtisch”. I don’t think there is a correct English translation for the German word Stammtisch, a loose translation is “regulars’ table”, or the table reserved in a restaurant (or bar) for the regulars that frequent the establishment. In the context of a club it is the regular meeting of the group, in our case the monthly get together to share food, drink and the latest gossip, I mean running news ;-)
So tonight I have to work off the pound weight that crept back on from the good food at the “Stammtisch” last night. I want to stop at the swimming pool on the way home from work, then do my weight training and maybe a short run. On Saturday morning I want to get up early and run at least 26K/16M. On Sunday is another 10K race with my friend John. Hopefully this warmer weather will hold out for a few days longer.
Oh, regulars...we used to do it on Saturday trail run at the local joint for the whole VCTC team and after Sunday long trail runs in a park at a suburbian diner...I miss those. Like Michelle's YMCA coffee meets, people came even if didn't run that day.