I got there and there were only three other people. They were all very nice people and I was really looking forward to running with them. Then I asked them what their pace was. The guy said they were really pretty slow and leisurely. I'm thinking WHOO HOO - I found a group to run with! Then he dropped the n bomb. As in, the Nine minute mile pace bomb. NINE MINUTE MILE IS SLOW AND LEISURELY? Oh my GOD! Then they told me the faster group had just left. SERIOUSLY? FASTER group? Oh Lord. I was scared after that. I tried - I tried really hard. I only kept up for about 5 or 6 blocks, then I started lagging. Bad. The one guy was really REALLY nice and he held back with me and ran with me. It was nice because I got to run in places I have never been - places I didn't even know existed! In hindsight I can't believe I ran with a complete stranger in isolated places like that - was I freaking insane? If you have not noticed about me by now - I'm afraid of people. I don't trust strangers. I grew up in NY, I think that distrust is an inborn trait for many New Yorkers! It was so nice to meet a new person though. We talked about all kinds of things, mostly about running. He was blown away that I had come from where I was last year and that I couldn't even run 10 steps a year ago! He was also really impressed that I came to run with a group. I'm kind of bummed that the group is not going to work out. I'm going to keep searching for a group that has my pace and if I can't find one, then I'm going to MAKE one. Us slow pokes should not be doomed to run the earth alone!!
I ended up having to walk a lot of the run today. I think the combination of the bitter cold, starting at waaaaay too fast of a pace, not ever running hills, and not doing long runs for over a month has really taken it's toll! We ran 4.3 miles but I'm thinking I walked half if not more of it. Oh well. It's 4.3 more miles than a lot of people did today!
I'm going to call it a night. I have a sleepy baby on one arm so I'm doing this with one hand and it kind of sucks! Plus, tonight I bump my medication up to two pills - I'm kind of excited. PLEASE pray that it starts working! I have been having a LOT of face pains lately. I do mean a LOT.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you all have a wonderful night! -Monica
p.s. if any of you have any ideas as to how I can start a slow paced running group and keep it SAFE - as in, no creepers - I would LOVE to hear them! THANK YOU!!!
No suggestions but if I were near you, I'd run with you! I'm super slow (we are talking an average 15min mile here...) Getting better, but its still slow going!
ReplyDeleteThat would be SO FUN! :-)
DeleteCheck meetup - I know where I live there was a big group of Moms that would run together. You might also check your local running store as some of them have running programs or have groups that go out.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I did check meetup - there were not any groups already created, I am so worried about making a group and having creepers join!! LOL I emailed the running store the other day, I'm hoping they write back tomorrow!
DeleteYou might also try: http://www.seemommyrun.com/ - it looks like they have groups in every state.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice - I saw that too, there are only 3 groups in my area - two of them are really fast paced and the other one has no activity. Talk about frustration!!!
DeleteI am so proud of you for having the guts to go and check out that running group! That is very brave of you and I think it is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alizey! I sure didn't FEEL brave at the time - I was scared out of my butt! LOL
Delete