I’m kind of phoning it in today because: a) it’s almost Friday, b) I just gave blood and am all woooo and, c) my dog is doing this new thing where he thinks we’re going running at 4am. We are not, in fact, going running at 4am, but the dude is an optimist and figures, you know, why not check in to see if today is the day we go at 4am. And keep re-checking every ten minutes thereafter. Which is my way of saying we went at *5am*, ha, take THAT, dog! Clearly I am soooo the ruler of this house.
ANYWAY.
So! I’m tired, I’m down a pint of blood, and I’m re-posting. I wrote this a couple of years ago, but as I’ve been actively trying to reclaim my love of my previous runner lifestyle, I read it again today to aid in my ongoing re-motivation (totally a word.) And because it’s officially Fall (38 degrees on the running trail this AM, y’all. 38 degrees) and people are bumping up miles for half marathons and marathons and/or just running because it’s PERFECT out, I thought I’d share. Um, again.
My morning:
- Get up
- Whine
- Go back to bed
- Get back up.
- Shiver.
- Whine.
- Brush teeth.
- Look for running clothes
- Locate shirt in dryer
- Remember that I need pants
- Locate pants
- Stub toe.
- Curse.
- Look for socks.
- Find one. Victory!
- Remember that I need two socks.
- Damnit!
- Find second sock. Sock #2 is different thickness than sock #1.
- Debate how much this will bother me while running.
- Decide “A lot”
- Look for different sock.
- Fail at finding new sock
- Suck up the different thickness socks.
- Reach for caffeinated Gu.
- Discover lack of caffeinated Gu.
- Curse.
- Look for gloves.
- Find gloves.
- Rejoice!
- Look for Ipod.
- Remember have not charged iPod in 4 days.
- Curse.
- Attempt to tie shoes while wearing gloves.
- Fail.
- Remove gloves, tie shoes.
- Leave house
- Step outside. Note that it is raining.
- And cold
- Curse.
- Go to start watch.
- Notice that I forgot watch.
- Curse
- Begin to notice how pretty everything is all covered in fog
- …until I start running and realize that water on the streets is turning into big sheets of ice.
- Run slow so as to not slip.
- (yeah. That’s it. That’s *exactly* why I was running slow)
- Notice that ass has frozen and seems to be bouncing independently from my body.
- Bitch about ice on ground.
- Suspend bitching once sun rises and I notice how pretty the National Mall looks.
- Resume bitching when submerge foot in big puddle.
- Dream about the wonderful DC Spring weather, and the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
- Conveniently forget that I am allergic to the cherry blossoms and will in no way be able to run while they are in bloom.
- Be annoyed that socks are different thickness and one shoe is looser than the other.
- Round the end of the Mall over by Lincoln. Look up at Abe, look at slick steps covered in ice and puddles leading up to Abe, and give him a wave, promising to visit him later.
- Get cold.
- Start to run faster to warm up and get home.
- Send Husband mental thoughts consisting of “Make breakfast and coffee…make breakfast and coffee…’
- Stop running fast. Pant.
- Resume slogging
- Get home
- Give Husband a big sweaty kiss despite the fact that he did not get the mental message of “coffee and breakfast”
- Hop in warm shower and think to self “I love running”
- Smile when I realize: I actually meant it. I DO love running.
InnerTeub 
Good for you! I’m not a morning person, so my hat is immediately off to you. Isn’t it funny how a workout can be just BRUTAL, but when you’re done you just think, that was rad.
Keep up the good work!
I am a runner and I think you pretty accurately describe fall/winter running out east :). And I jar today, it’s a rare day when (despite thoughts such as you listed during a run) I don’t finish a run in a great mood and happy that I’ve just ran :).
Also, I run between 315 and 330. I’d offer to take your dog to get him off your ass in te early morning hours if I thought you lived anywhere near me 🙂
Hmm. I jar today … That should have been deleted to write I dare say ….
Haaaaaa. I read your first comment and was all “… I don’t think that’s what she meant to say ….” 🙂
So, one thing I really miss about living in DC (we’re in Colorado now) is that it is SO DARK here in the mornings. In DC I could easily run outside pre-dawn because it was so well lit, but we’re so far from civilization now there is just no way (and it’s mostly trail – which I love – but with the dog the headlamp just doesn’t quite get it done)
And yes, I would totally lend you my pooch for running if you were willing take him at 3am. TOTALLY.
If I ever move to Colorado, I’d love to take the pup for a run :). It’s like babysitting – all the fun with none of the responsibility!
A classic! It should be re-posted every fall!
+1000