This morning, as almost always, I awoke hours before sunrise. I put on some coffee and did some floor exercise on the living room rug, this time running in place for seven minutes. Between six and seven I managed to talk my sweet Melissa into driving me over to Depot Park to be in time for their weekly race, involving four laps around that park just south of downtown, Gainesville. I didn't feel up to the task but had decided beforehand to just attempt a slow one-lap, about .7 mile. Well, she didn't feel good and remained in the car. It was a grueling, punishing experience, walking that lap, and I felt my struggling, slow feet with their Brooks running shoes were hitting the asphalt too abruptly as if I were kicking into it. I got through it feeling pretty crappy and angry, not at all happy with the social tribalism at the park. Melissa was very positive and congratulated me on my efforts. It's now mid-afternoon and I've recovered to the point that I think I could stand a little more exercise before resting for the remainder of the day. No official result for me...I did it in 24 minutes. Maybe next Saturday I'll try it again, if signs indicate a "go" for me. I have no plans to push myself hard, though. Tomorrow marks Rebecca's first wedding anniversary...love you, Sweetheart.
This month, today excepted, I totally skipped out on Parkruns, confining my exercise to the living room and always enjoying indoors climate control. Running in place in socks (ipf) and rock-running (rr) were the two exercises I did, and I was careful to write down my times spent doing them. I rested a lot and was careful not to overdo things. If God permits and circumstances allow it, I plan to gradually increase my time and efforts in this direction. And may future Parkruns go much better for both of us. Yes, that one lap was indeed a "victory lap"...
