Okay, so it wasn't really PAIN, but it was a very annoying and stressful situation. The day started cold and windy (which I was forced to experience this morning; more on that another time), but by the time I got home at 4:30, the sun was shining and the temperature had risen to almost 70. I wanted to go for a walk/jog, and really didn't want to bring the dogs. They've been royal pains in the ass on walks lately, and I just wanted peace. But, I figured I would be the worst dog-owner in the entire world if I went out on this beautiful day without them. I called Pat to see if I should wait for him to join us before venturing out, but he was stuck at work. I told him we would walk toward him. Poochy One and Poochy Two started out fairly decently. Then I forgot that Jersey's driving motion toward insanity is bicyclists. We kept walking toward Pat by going over the Marshall Bridge. Bikes galore! Psychotic barking and lunging was scaring every person going by. He is going insane. Truly. (An entirely different issue, of course. I'm open to dog-training suggestions for my dog of 3 years...) My embarrassment, rage, frustration built. I had to call Pat. I got off the bridge, off the beaten path, and found some grass on which to plop my annoyed ass. A school yard. A few minutes passed before my knight in shining Jeep showed up. I asked him just to take the dogs. I needed to walk home on my own. I needed to get rid of the steam.
As I turned away, I started to run. Feel the burn. Release the steam. Then I decided not to stop. Now, this is normal for a LOT of people. I get that. But I have been walk/running since I decided running was even something I could do. Run a couple of blocks. Walk a few to recover. Running more than two was awesome. Once I ran 8! I was very proud. But today, coming from my angry resolve, I ran all the way home. I told myself I wouldn't stop, and I didn't. I pushed. Mind over body is what people usually say. Body over mind is what I employed. Breathe. Put one foot in front of the other. And I ran all the way home.
Perhaps, dear reader, you still do not understand the gravity of my feat. Back in elementary school and high school when they made us run the mile, I was one of the last girls on the track. When I was thin and young, I couldn't run a mile. I was one of those people who said, "I can't run." Not "I don't run," but I CAN'T. Well, guess what? Yes I can! When I got home, I went on to the very handy website, www.mapmyrun.com, and found out exactly how far I ran. Guess how far? Come on, guess! Okay, I'll tell you: 1.8 miles!!! That's almost 2! Without stopping! Not even for traffic (the universe was on my side)!
So, in case you can't tell, I'm Superwoman! (Methinks this is what they call "runner's high.")
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7 comments:
I am very impressed! Rage is such a good motivator!
WOW! I'm totally impressed. I was That Girl too in middle school, and I was teeny then. (Grr.) When I was on swim team, I used to think about what made me furious (it was AIDS then) and I could go on forever... then, at Old High School where you are still (trapped) teaching, I would get on the elliptical and think of the (MANY) irritating things that had happened that day... It's amazing amazing what grr can do to endurance.
xo
I'm very excited about this for you! I have always been someone that has thought I could not run also, but now I really enjoy it! I think you should keep it up! Who knows maybe if someone really made you mad you might even be able to run a 5k!!!
This is a HUGE breakthrough Emily!!! Well done!
I don't understand; so your car wasn't working?
Almost 2 miles??!! Maybe if someone were chasing me... Oh, who am I kidding? He would catch me after I ran 2 blocks and fell over exhausted.
You are awesome!
For Jersey, you may want to try desensitizing. If you have bike riding friends willing to help out. And do it when he is well exercised. I also have new training collars for my dogs that worked wonders for pulling.
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