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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I was lucky...

I went out for a run last night.
 
I had a long, hard day at work.  I was wound up.  Just wanted to lounge on the couch cuddling with a bag of baked pita chips or something.
 
But, I forced myself out.  It was BEAUTIFUL out and I knew I would feel better and less guilty in the end.  So, I took to the streets and headed to the path.  I think I was going too fast because about a little over half mile into it, I thought to myself, "Hmm...I should just turn back now..." 
 
I said to myself that I would go out for a 45 minute run.  I just kept going.  I caught glimpse of one of the runners with CES.  His name is Mike.  I wasn't sure if it was him at first (and learned that I ignored his wave when he passed).  If it was him, I thought to myself, I didn't want him to run back and say hello because that meant I would have to go extra hard on what I thought was going to be an easy run.
 
Go figure--he trotted up right next to me and I told him that he didn't want to run with me because I am too slow.  He said he would anyway.  That equals him going 30-60 seconds slower and me going 30-60 seconds faster than usual.  GOOD GRIEF!  I was huffin!  Even got a side stitch and I learned from Mike could be alleviated by biting your bottom lip.  It actually worked becuse I noticed my diaphragm relaxing.
 
ANYhow.  I got a full 46 minutes in from my place to Oak Street beach and back.  It felt great at the end and I knew it would and we were able to talk (me kinda) which helped the time pass.  It felt extra great because I didn't have to run alone.  Was I glad that I had a running buddy?  Yes.  Was I probably going to turnaround earlier?  Maybe.  Was I glad in the moment that we were going that fast?  No!  Was I happy overall in the end?  YES!
 
Thanks, Mike!

--
Ken Chin
Ken@KenChinUSA.com
http://KenChinUSA.blogspot.com

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