What Do I Think About While Running?

Is this a good pace? Is that car going to stop? Did I put the chicken out for dinner? Am I running too fast? Why am I so tired? Did I eat enough before this run? Was that a grasshopper up my shorts? AHH, it's a grasshopper up my shorts!

I think about a lot on my runs. The longer the run, the more time I have to think about things. There are some Saturdays when I'm running long distances where I could easily be gone for several hours. I never take an iPod with me, mostly because I can't ever get the ear buds to stay in my ears. The question always comes up though, what are you thinking about on your long runs?

First Day of School

I wasn't late. I found all my classes. I didn't even fall asleep once! It turns out that it was a pretty good day. I even got a job today! It might only be work-study and only a few hours per week, but with all the reading I'm going to do, I think it will work out just fine.

The Start of Something New

The day is here. Tuesday is upon us. The day where I cease being an adult and head back to school. My bags are packed. I'm nervous about whether the other kids will like me. I hope I can find a seat on the bus. I hope my peanut butter and jelly doesn't get flattened and make a mess all over the sandwich bag.

Being Spontaneous

I like to plan things in advance. One of my roles in my recently vacated job was to plan an event calendar one year in advance. I usually have my weekends scheduled months in advance and I once scheduled my July vacation in January.

Last Friday I was sent a frantic message from Janel, "RESPOND ASAP! I HAVE BIG NEWS!" What on earth could this mean? I sent a quick chat on Google and discovered the amazing news. Mumford and Sons, one of our favorite bands and one of the bands that we have had special moments with was playing at a concert stop in Troy, OH. I wasn't exactly sure where Troy was, but I knew Ohio was close and Mumford and Sons rarely plays in the USA.

Running on Trust

A funny thing happened while I was out on my run this weekend. It was a strange thing that I've never, ever experienced before. As I approached a driveway to Gordon Food Service a truck was waiting for traffic to clear in the path of the sidewalk. It was an old chevy truck, blue with rust spots over the tires and a cap on the back.

When I usually arrive at a situation like this, I start looking for alternatives. Nothing sucks more than to be out on a long run, come towards the end when you're getting tired, and having to stop dead in your tracks for a car in your path. I usually look for a gap behind the car, for the start of the sidewalk on the other side, safe footing for my feet to traverse, and eye contact with the driver.

As I said, a strange thing happened. The truck slowly started to move backwards. The man inside had seen me coming and moved his truck out of my path so that I could safely cross. We made eye contact, he nodded with a smile and both hands on the wheel, I gave a small wave and mouthed 'thank you,' to show my appreciation.

Moments like these give me hope in humanity.