What I think about on a long run – it’s not glamorous

Today on my long run, I got to thinking about what it is I think about on my long runs (did you get all that?).  I decided to try to notice from time to time what I was thinking.  The main thing I noticed is that I went from getting lost in long, complex thoughts for extended periods (for example, problem solving, sketching out things on my to-do list, planning, etc.) at the beginning of my run, to jumping through short, simple, even monosyllabic thoughts as I got more tired.  I also noticed that towards the beginning, my thoughts were of abstract things, whereas towards the end, they were about more concrete things in my surroundings.  I don’t know if it is indicative of a drop in blood sugar, or just a survival tactic, but I am sure I am not alone in this.

I thought it might be fun to share a few of these thoughts with you here – keep in mind that none of it was as linear or literal as this but rather a jumble of stuff that I noticed when I tried to think about what I was thinking about. It was also not one of my better runs.  But let’s see what I can remember…

While it was too abstract to quote, I puzzled and pondered over an upcoming running event that deals with a cause near and dear to my heart…but it’s in July. Wondered which distance I should sign up for given the likely weather at that time of year. Was suddenly struck with a thought of a company they should consider contacting for sponsorship. Didn’t notice about 10 minutes go by.

Ooh, it really is spring! Check out the sap buckets on those maples! [Brain launched into a pleasant and vivid memory of the sugar shack we used to visit when I was a kid, after the pancake breakfast with all the syrup you could drown your pancakes in, plus sausages, then we would make ourselves sick on a maple sugar tart.]

Wait, that’s not right! What is my toe doing? Which toe is it? Should I stop and fix it? How would I fix it?

What is that jingling? Is that my keys? [turned around just in time to see the dog charging at me, and spoke the only words of this post that were actually out loud] “NO! You go home! Go on!”  Back inside my head: Geez, that dog could have been hit by a car charging across the street like that. Wait, that dog could have taken my leg off! What the deuce?!  I much prefer the ones that bark and snarl, because at least you know where they are!

Can it be that I actually managed to avoid overdressing today? The bad news is…now I am cold.  Enjoy the cold you wimp! In a few months you’ll be complaining how hot you are and wishing you could be cold!  Besides, it will be better when I turn and am running with the wind.

The new [CENSORED – make sure you grab the April issue! 😉 ] contest at iRun.ca is going to be so cool. I can barely wait for it to launch.

Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UVlpbCpZw

Listen toe, that’s enough.

Hey jerk, hang up and drive!

Is it too late to call you on the phone/too late to tell you I’m alone/or will I wake you from another lonely night?   Chantal Kreviazuk? Where did you come from?

Ahhh, that’s the last I will see of the headwind today!

Oh listen to the birds!

7 to go. 7 to go. 7 to go. 7 to go. 7 to go….

MAN my toe hurts! What is going on here?!

Less than 7 to go. Less than 7 to go. Less than….

HA! You missed! [in response to the ice cracking and falling off of tree branches and power lines and shattering on the road]

Big hill. Want to walk. DON’T WALK! NEVER SURRENDER! The deader we kill this hill, the more prepared we will be for Around the Bay.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0q3Pm2rFVQ

Ow.  Hurts. Why? How am I going to get through ATB? How many weeks? 4? No 3. No 4. What? 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th – 3. Crap.

Eek! Headwind. Headwind? What the…?

TOE! STOP IT!

Last big hill.

Ow. Wait, that’s my stomach. My legs think you should suck it up, stomach!

Just. Keep. Running.

Suck it up, buttercup!!

Last little hill.

Short half a k? HOW CAN I BE SHORT HALF A K?! Okay, past end of street, you can do it, keep going.

Okay, turn around now.

Aaaand that’s that.

Oh hello, that’s a pretty blister.

Ow.