I owe a great deal of credit to Madeleine who proposed the race, Natasha who’s been encouraging me through the weeks leading up to the run, and the gang at work (Chris, Rob, Kevin and Shelley) who have been inviting me to join them for a lunchtime 5K a few times a week. It was definitely easier to keep motivated knowing that people were rooting for me!

I think I might be a little bit hooked now! It was a fantastic experience and I’m really proud of how I ran, and wondering how much better I can do if I stick to it. It might be time to treat myself to a new pair of runners or something.

I recently discovered in a pinch that I can jog across the Westgate parking lot and beat my bus home to the next stop – I’ve caught it twice now thanks to my quick feet and friendly traffic lights. Fresh from those bus-catching victories, as I watched my ride pull away along Baseline, it occurred to me to try to catch it.

I’m in good shape, but it would have been impossible if not for a bit of construction traffic that was holding everyone back. A break in traffic made it possible for me to sprint across all 4 lanes of Baseline, and then it was on. The first 300 meters I made solid gains – traffic was moving slowly and I was at nearly full stride. I got to the next stop only moments after it did, and rather than pull over and stop for me, the driver continued on past. (Either the driver didn’t see me, or the sight of me coming full bear alongside was unintentionally hilarious. *Grrr* )

At the 500m mark I was pulling ahead to a large lead, because traffic was slowing down for the light on Clyde, and I was running along unhindered and managed to catch a walk light at a cross street. Finally a bus stop was in sight – at 700m (baseline and Clyde) I slowed down to a jog and then pulled my tickets out, turned around to wave and make eye contact – the bus drove on past without stopping. I probably could have caught it at the next stop if I’d tried, but at that point I was furiously muttering between panting breaths, and I didn’t want to overdo it and risk ending up a sweaty mess in the office.

So I had to wait in the cold for half an hour for the next bus, which got me to the office in time for the meeting, but barely. I was super furious. I hate taking the bus.

Figuring out what to wear was hard. I put on my brother’s hand-me-down ridiculously orange pants (my “Cheeto” pants) and a blue windbreaker. I need to invest in some real winter running apparel if I’m going to do this again.

I had lots of visions beforehand of wiping out on salt and ice patches, but the streets were pretty clean and safe, and we did a 5K run in mostly well-lit areas. I found I was still in pretty good running shape, and the crisp cold air helped keep us from getting sweaty or overheated without being uncomfortable.

This morning my legs are okay, but my stabilization muscles all through my core and in my knees are feeling like they’ve been really worked hard (just from my paranoid tensing as I ran). Going up the 3 flights of stairs to my desk really took a lot out of me. I’m answering to the name “Limpy McShambler” for the rest of the day.

And I’m HUNGRY. It’s chocolate time!