I've decided to take a rain check on Austin. Good luck to Susan, Flatman (I think), and others who are already gunning for it! I'm too into the cruisin' mode to get up for it, but that doesn't mean I'm not running anymore. This past weekend, I did 11.5 from our house in Plano to the in-laws place in North Dallas. We've driven this a million times as we usually go over on Sundays for lunch or to visit for a while. It's the first time I've run this route, and probably the furthest I've ever run for no apparent reason! But I'd guess you runners out there know why ... we run it because it's there and so what if it's a little long and a little painful; we run it because we can!
It was beautiful late fall Texas day, but still in the low 70's at high noon. I had a slow easy run, finishing in just under 2 hours. S. and kids met me half way on their way over, and served as my own personal water station! They honked as they passed by on the other side of the street, and I pulled in a neighborhood playground just up ahead to wait for them to turn around and come back. I also took in the one GU I carried while waiting for them. When that was done, they still didn't show and I was beginning to wonder if we had mis-arranged the pit-stop. Earlier at home, I dropped off a half-bottle of water in the 'ol family van and mentioned that 11:00 would be perfect and half way into my run ... so why did they drive off? For a few more minutes, I waited and stewed (will the GU work w/o chasing it down with water? or will it suck my throat dry?! is my tongue already stuck to the roof of my mouth?! can I make it another 6 miles w/o dying of thirst?). Finally, I decided to carry on, since I couldn't well just stand there forever!
Lo and behold, about 0.5 mile further and around a curve, there they were waiting for me! S. bless her heart said she was 10 mins early and didn't want to mess up my timing. Well, let's see here ... 10 mins, 0.5 miles ... 20 min miles?! Oh hell, I was happy to see them! My three girls (9 & 9 twins, and 4) were jumping up and down as I approached, like I was some Speedy Gonzalez or something. One of them held out my water bottle, and I picked up the pace and ran by at full speed to snatch it out of her hand while they all started to give chase! It must've been a crazy sight for anyone happening to drive by. Ah, the little things in life ...
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7 comments:
That's cool with your three little cheerleaders!
"...we run it because we can!" Yep, you have that right! Neither wind, nor, cold, nor the dark of night... - the postman is a wimp in comparision!
It doesn't take much to amuse kids, I'm sure they are proud of you.
That run sounds marvelous =)
Your support crew sounds fantastic. You sure you don't want to employ thenm for Austin?
People passing by must have thought you were some kind of celebrity or something. Don't know about you, but I have to have some water with a GU. If I don't, it looks like I just pounded a glass of milk with all the white crap that forms around my mouth.
how cute. I am sure you're a huge inspiration to your kids!
almost makes me want my own...but not quite!
it's not exactly the same but i run in loops...so my truck is the water station. actually it's not even close. there are no little ones, no one happy to see me and eager to cheer me on...
very sweet!
ps and thanks for comments re: grandma.
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