The other day I posted about people who don't smile or say hi to fellow morning exercisers. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does. When I was in college, I remember noticing a huge difference between the general friendliness of people in Northern California verses Southern. Maybe it was because I was in a college town, or maybe it is just the case that northern Californians are friendlier, but in Chico, everyone said hello to everyone when passing on the streets. Or at least made eye contact and smiled or something. This was over 15 years ago, so maybe times have changed, maybe there are just more Mr. Cranky Pants out there. I don't like it though. I like saying hello, I like connecting, even if it is for just a brief moment with other people. So I smile, I say good morning, I try to connect & yes, get annoyed when it is not reciprocated. I haven't seen Mr. Cranky Pants in a few days. I hope I haven't scared him off. I wonder if he goes home and says to his wife "Man, there is this crazy lady who runs with two giant dogs and a flashy thingy who is always yelling and talking." Or maybe he is just trying to work out the time change and will be back soon. I kinda think that all of us who are getting up in the dark and cold to raise our heart rates are a bit on the crazy side. That is the thought that goes through my head nearly every morning as I get out of my cozy, warm bed. But then I get out there, and I run, or I walk and I feel good and not so crazy. Plus I get to talk to the blue herons. Sometimes I scare them off too.
Today I had some interesting experiences. I will often go around the block before heading over to the harbor for my run. As I rounded the corner today I came across a man. He was not a fellow exerciser. He was in his bathrobe. Barefoot. Seemingly coherent and awake. And he said good morning. So how could I be annoyed? It was weird though. Very weird. Kinda creepy actually. Not sure where he was going or what he was doing, but he disappeared around the corner and I continued on my way, thankful for the 80 lb German Shepard, 75lb lab and big bag of dog poo in my hand. It is no fun to carry poo on a run, but in cases like this, when meeting strange men in bathrobes at 5:30 in the morning, a bag of poo is way better than mace.
Since Mr. Cranky Pants was unavailable to harass encourage friendly manners, I found someone else. Well really, they were just there. I've crossed paths with them before, I think I've mentioned it. It is a couple, maybe 5-10 years older than me. The lady begrudgingly says hello or good morning, the man, well, he might be Mr. Cranky Pants younger brother. He looks down or straight ahead, aways wears a baseball cap and is always the one talking. Maybe that's why he doesn't say hi? Today on the first pass, I got a "good morning" from The Lady, nothin from Baseball Cap. Then I passed them again. She was not happy about having to say hi again. As I approached them for a 3rd pass, I couldn't help but think of Shakespeare. Macbeth, more specifically.
"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening or rain? When the hurleyburley's done, when the battle's lost and won."
I was seriously giggling to myself as I got closer. Neither one said hello this time. I ended up sharing the quote with the dogs instead. I don't think they were impressed. I did end up passing them a fourth and final time, but this time I was coming from behind them. The sun was up by this time, maybe that makes people friendlier. Both turned back to see who was coming up behind them. Both said hello and both smiled. Baseball Cap even made eye contact. Score 1 for me & the dogs!
One of the training tools I am using to help me make it through this half marathon safely is a feature on Mapmyrun (app) called "Voice Coach". I just think of her as "Coach", or "Naggy Lady". I tell her what my intentions for the run are and she keeps me on track. For example today was an "easy" day with a distance of 4.5 miles. According to my training guide, "easy" means I should be able to have a conversation while running. (Good reason to say hello to everyone I see, I need to know if I'm going easy!) I'm still kinda figuring things out as far as pace and such, but it seems as though "easy" for me right now is around a 12 min/mile pace. I forgot to tell Coach that though. She thought I wanted to go 11 min/mile pace. She nagged me every 2 minutes about this. Most of the time telling me I was going too slow and to speed up. She has a one track mind though and I couldn't change it without starting over, and I wasn't about to redo those first two minutes, so I let her nag away. I managed to keep a 12 minute pace average throughout the 4.5 miles, mostly ignoring the nag.
My lower half is definitely feeling the increased mileage. It feels good, but my legs are tired! I have a 3.5 mile run tomorrow, hopefully I will remember to tell Coach the proper pace!
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