Last nights run wasn’t quite what I had hoped. It was humid, and I had dressed for the 40’s, not for 58 degrees. (Why on earth would I think it would be 58 degrees? It was snowing a couple of days ago!!!) The rain didn’t pickup until right near the end. And it was one of those days that the weather was having fun with me – the wind was in my face the entire time, except for 30 feet that i ran through a tunnel. I have never understood how the wind can move around to always be coming at you – but never let it be said mother nature doesn’t have a sense of humor!!
Though, as negative as that sounded, I had a great run. I did six miles, with an average of 6.3 mph – not to bad considering I did stop and walk part way on the large hill on my course. With having done the 6.6 on Saturday, I didn’t want to completely kill my continuing to develop calf muscle. Ironically, my left calf felt tired part way into the run – long before my right one did. Today however, they are both letting me know we had a great workout! A bit of soreness where I had my surgery, definitely letting me know that I did indeed, over do it – just in case the way I felt for the last mile hadn’t told me!
Part of yesterday was a pride run. Dustin and I did 6.6 at a very slow rate on Saturday, so part of me was curious if I could do it at a better pace, and part of it was to make up for skipping running on Sunday. It is nice to have that soreness of a good workout, without it moving into the soreness of potential injury. Perhaps I have found the groove for kickin my own butt, but not killing myself? We will see! Somehow I suspect I still cannot be ready for a half marathon on May 15th. A real pity as I wanted to do it – it is the first “Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon and 5K!” I liked the potential to do everyone one of them going forward. Well, I know that they still need volunteers – so if I am not up to it, I think I will get involved that way.
I haven’t volunteered at a race yet – so it could be a great experience. I just have to keep my “helium hand” under control. I have a tendency to jump both feet into volunteering (was the “Seneschal” for my local SCA group for 5 years, decided to get involved in cub scouts, started a brand new pack – was the cub master for 1.5 years, started Karate, offe
red to set up a good working website for the school…) I suppose the fact that you can’t run AND work at a race should really help to keep it under control though. If I have the time to go to a race – I would really rather race! But I have always felt that anything we love, we should give back to – otherwise we are just taking advantage of other’s time and possibly denying them their opportunity at fun as well. There are those that will continue to step up and give their time when they would rather do something else – simply because no one else will.
I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.
Once and Future Runner 
I agree about the volunteering. I try to volunteer at one race a year minimum. If you get there early enough you can volunteer AND run the race. A 2fer!