Training for the Race: August 2005

Monday, August 08, 2005

Training Inside or Outside

Saturday was the best day we have had all summer. The temperature was in the 70's the humidity was low and the sun was shining. I found myself thinking I should go outside to train. BUT, it takes time and energy to get to a place to run or walk. It would be away form the a bathroom. It would be so much trouble. Last year, we bought a treadmill for just these reasons. Particularly for training during snow and ice and late sunrises and early sunsets. But during the summer, there is no reason to stay indoors -- except convenience. So I did. My newest challenge to myself is to train outdoors at least once a week from now until the race in October.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Other Creatures Running

Wednesday, JOn, my husband, and I spent the entire day on our boat floating along the Erie Canal. I have been steadfast in my refusal for us to get a gas motor, so we have an electric trolling motor. Most people walk faster than our boat moves. We had a grea time, though. It was quiet and peaceful. The only other boat we aw was a Canal Corporation boat pushing a barge up to Lockport.

As we were floating along in the heat of the day, we came upon a congregation of geese. SOme in the water, some along the bank. We sort of scared a couple of them and they wanted to get away form us. It was great to watch them becasue they were literally running omn the water. They had their wing spread, flapping just a little and their littel wenbbed feet were just running, light as could be, along the surface. I was thinking having wings would make my running and training a little easier. The wings were the key to their speed and grace.

Watching them land on the water is so funny. Noen of them did that day while we were watching, but it is kind of like crashing. You expect grace from them and instead they just sort of fly straight into the water without slowing dow. They make a big ruckus and flounder a bit. FInally they tuck their wings in and begin floating along.

I think running/walking for all of us is both graceful and awkward. We learn our own best gait, our own best way to flap our arms and we move ahead. Sometimes we look graceful and other times, people wonder how we stay on our feet. Training helps me find a rhythmn that works and I will often think about the geese running along the water.