runnin' 'round

I recently had a conversation with some women about running. They knew I was a runner, but I'm not sure if they know how much I run. I didn't say much, but listened as they talked. One expressed the need for variety in workouts and another the boredom she experiences during too long of runs. "There's nothing to think about after about mile 5." As I've pondered that, I wonder when my metamorphosis occurred. Me, I run because I'm lazy. All it takes is me (at least 1/2 awake) and a pair of shoes. Out the door I go. I love to go with my fabulous running buddies (therapy and exercise at the same time is wonderful!), but can function on my own if I have to. When and how did I change from the 2-mile jogger with must-have friends, to someone who can go for a 15 mile run on a Saturday morning, by myself, unplugged (no ipod) and arrive home alive? What do I think about and how do I pass the time? Luckily I had 15 miles to ponder it this morning. So lace up your shoes, grab a Gatorade and come on, we're going running. Here's how this morning's run came to pass:

Mile 1: It's still a little dark, but with 14 miles ahead, that's how we like it. Beating the sun up in the morning is one of my joys in life. I plan how singing time will play out tomorrow and make some mental notes of what I need to get ready.
Mile 2: Hummm, I kind of need to use the bathroom. There's a gas station over there, maybe I should stop. Nah, I'll be fine.
Mile 3: I should have stopped. I spend the next few minutes mentally going over a map of the city to find out which parks are the closest. Perfect, there's one on this road I happen to know of at mile 4.
Mile 4: Yes, I made it! Just in time...oops, perhaps I should say, Just about made it (please don't think less of me...we've all been there, haven't we?) See how I wasted a couple of miles worrying about a potty stop. Now I have something to think about the next several miles as well.
Mile 5: Come up with the idea for this great post, spend the next few miles trying to write it up in my head.
Mile 6: Remember to look up! It's a beautiful morning, the glowing clouds dot the blue sky and still no sign of the sun. Glorious! Yes! I'm one minute ahead of my target time at this point!
Mile 7: Breath in the solitude of the quiet neighborhood streets of Centerville. It is so peaceful and calm (especially since I know that my household is up and swinging at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning...I do have ulterior motives for running :o)
Mile 7.1: Where am I? Don't worry mom, I know the area well enough, but have to back track so that I can make sure I get my fifteen miles in (I'm a little annal about this!)
Mile 8: Stop for a drink of Gatorade. I have been of the same opinion as others, at previous times in my life, that Gatorade tastes like warm spit. But drinking it on a warm morning after 8 miles is heavenly!
Miles 9-11: The dreaded hills. Mind you these are not big hills, nor 2 miles of only hills, but at miles 9-11, mole-hills can become mountains to me! Why did I include these again? Oh yeah, I'm pretending to be a real runner!! There's not much more to think about besides survival, these take all of my concentration!
Mile 12: Is that Phil? What is he doing? As he turns and drives past again, I see this on the back window of the van:
How cute is that? "Thanks Phil!" I mouth as he drives past!
Mile 12.2: What are they doing? I see my three rookies parked on the sidewalk, waiting for me to pass: one with a fan, one with a spray bottle, and one with a Gatorade (and a red mustache...I wonder what Micah did to pass the time!) They spray and fan me as I approach. By the van is a chair for me to rest in and get a little massage from Phil. I paused my stopwatch and enjoyed the luxurious treatment! Talk about an aid station!!! And he even brought the camera to document!
Mile 12.3-Mile 15: Wow! After 12 miles, I finally have something worthwhile to think about. I had most of this blog entry composed and ready to go when my cheering section pulled into view. My mood changed from how cool I am, to how cool they are, instantly. Oh yeah! I really couldn't do it without my "fans" could I? They reminded me that this really isn't about "me", but about "us". It's about supporting each other in our goals and making it through life in the "long run", together. That's what makes the Olympics so exciting, is seeing how the athletes' families have sacrificed and been a part of this amazing journey for them. There's so much that goes on behind the scene of each medal.
Mile 12.5: Here comes the sun (do-do-do-do) finally peaking it's head over the mountains, and I finally saw the light!!
Mile 15: We made it! Thanks for tagging along and keeping me company.

Next Saturday: 20 miles...what in the world will we think about?