Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Taking it to the Streets

This morning I went outside my comfort zone, that is, outside the gym.  Instead of running on the treadmill, as I have been doing for the past many weeks, I felt that I'd better do some "real" running.  For those of you who've never run on a treadmill, or who have only run on one, there is a big difference between having that belt moving beneath you, where all you have to do is lift your feet, and the stationary earth staying stationary beneath you, where you get to do all the work.

There's no way to keep up a perfect, constant pace.  No flat surface to rest one's water bottle.  No pre-set  incline or climate-controlled indoor atmosphere.  And no television screen in front of one's face to provide a distraction.

On the other hand, there is fresh, cool air circulating around the bay, providing a headwind in one direction, and not much of anything in the other.  Various wetland plants brushing up against one's shins and bringing forth a scent to the air.  Assorted stray cats taking their morning promenade.  Bicyclists sharing the trail, on their morning commute.  And the knowledge that it's just you, out for a run on your own two legs.

I did 38 minutes total, an unmeasured distance somewhere between 3.5 and 4 miles.

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