Ninety
percent of the joy-walk takes me through the western half of Central Park, past
swarms of high-intensity cardio buffs training for road races or optimal health.
Some walk at a maniacal pace, some jog, some sprint; with others, only they
know what they’re up to.
I was once a legitimate runner. Running had been a hobby with healing powers. I still hope to run a half-marathon before I die: you read it here first. (Or a third of a marathon.)
I
suppose that means I should start moving faster sometime soon.
First, I
must physically and psychologically ready myself for the easing-back-into-it
process. I’m presently in pre-training mode, which primarily consists of:
drinking cold water; loading up on carbs; upping my daily caffeine intake to lock
in that extra edge; window-shopping for new running shoes and sports bras that are
as pink as possible; and supportively smiling at the high-intensity cardio
buffs in the park.
Regularly
coming within torch-passing distance of these park-based athletes is doing
something to me. The constant close-range sight of them is more stimulating
than the caffeine.
I’m particularly
affected by the second-shift runners. That used to be my fly time, when I ran
like I owned the park.
Every
time I pass a beaming young woman flying up a hill along the 6-mile loop at 7 or
8 p.m., I’m brought back to the giddiness that came with flying up that same hill
in the cold early evening air, after the sun went down and the moon lit up, and
it was just open road without the swarms.
Now I call
upon that lit-up moon as my witness - my second shift shall rise again.
You go, girl. This sounds like a great plan; however, if your knees do no support your ambition as a runner, I suggest swimming as an alternative. Not so hard on the knees, and still a great "high."
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will rise! I often find that with exercise, the first step is intention... just that mental shift is enough to start you off. I used to run too... feels like ages ago. Now I only walk - brisk walk but walk nontheless.
ReplyDeleteMy husband recently starting running but then last month fractured his ankle. His been missing it and hopes to do a marathon someday too
ReplyDelete