Night running escapades
Until last night, I hadn’t run in the dark for nearly ten years. On that occasion, my college roommate and I decided to run from West Davis to get ice cream. It was one of those runs instigated by a need not to study and was way harder on the way back, from all the ice cream and knowing that o-chem would be waiting for me when I got back.
Yesterday, I stumbled upon a blog post over at Habang Tumatakbo inviting people to come out for a virtual run. I’ve tried the virtual thing in the past, but I think both of us must admit, we didn’t try very hard. (Maybe we should try harder, Moosey?)
I had already done my exercising for the day, but the spirit captured me and spurred me to voice my enthusiasm. Plus, they were lacking a European component, so I figured I’d help out. The run was set for 1:30 pm PST, 9:30 pm here, so my participation was contingent on Crunchy husband’s company.
He wasn’t too impressed at the idea of a run at 9:30 pm. “Come on! We’ll get to use our tour de France reflective arm bands. And I can put on my headlamp and it’ll be fun!” I’m not sure if it was the prospect of glowing in the dark or the thought of having to take me to the hospital when I told him my fall back plan was jumproping in the backyard in the dark if I couldn’t get him to go with me, but he acquiesed.
It was so calm. Yesterday’s rain had eased, and the wind had blown itself away. The air smelled fresh and serene. It was warmer than I expected it to be. We only ran a couple miles around the village, but it was worth it. It’s neat to think that you are “doing something together” with people stretched across the world. That you’re running up and down hills in sleeping England while at the same time others are running on the beaches in the sunshine in California or in the early morning hours in the Phillipines.
And I only had to push Crunchy husband twice when we passed the pubs, the second of which was showing the England v. Germany game. What a sport!
Thursday, 23rd August 2007 at 16:48
i don’t know, crunchy. i might’ve gone in the pub with your hubby had i passed by one on my run. he had the right idea alright.
and imagine if the lakers were playing. my run woulda been all over by then.
great to see you come out and represent europe. hope to see you again on our next one. hey, maybe we can get moosey to play too. we’ve got another kid in the bay area already, but of course, the more, the merrier.
Friday, 24th August 2007 at 2:12
Nora,
I just had a “nana” for my mid-morning snack and then I find myself here! What a coincidence
Congratulations with your v-run! My hubby was a bit more difficult to persuade as our run time in manila is 4:30 am. I don’t think it would’ve helped to lure him with reflective bands or headlamps either. Maybe the promise of new golf clubs would’ve worked
I’m training for a half marathon myself. Looking forward to reading your archives on how you trained and accomplished such a feat
Friday, 24th August 2007 at 2:29
[...] Nora [...]
Friday, 24th August 2007 at 20:29
which crazy roommate ran with you to the store to get ice cream? I mean…i would have DRIVEN you to the store, but i’m quite sure I never ran to the store.
Friday, 24th August 2007 at 20:52
OMG…this is hilarious. For my favorite Crunchy ‘Nana may I present…http://www.mileskimball.com/mileskimball/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=Kitchen&SCID=Gadgets&ProductID=89526&SiteNum=0
Just what every lazy ‘nana lover needs.
Saturday, 25th August 2007 at 2:25
Hi Crunchy,
Welcome to the Vrunning community! :), wow I guess it’s nice to run over there
I also take a ‘nana’ every time I do my runs for quick energy. btw nice recap!
Sunday, 26th August 2007 at 1:37
I don’t watch a lot of soccer but it would have been hard for me to continue past a pub with good English beer in it. Great running with you, with all of you guys. A neat concept.
In our local Trader Joe’s Grocery store here, they have dried nana’s in easy to carry packs. No sugar or preservatives added, just the real thing but easier to carry and last longer. Yum, I could eat a few.
Wednesday, 29th August 2007 at 12:09
Okay, I have to admit I never even heard of virtual running!
Because I’m temporarily in a hotter climate than I’m used to, I tend to do my aerobic stuff early in the morning, then hide out in the AC most of the day. But then I love evening walks, which is a whole new thing for me! There’s a wonderful tiredness afterwards and it beats plopping in front of the tv. But I have no idea how to make my walk “virtual!”
(And I’m grateful for Rick’s tip about the dried nana’s as I’m off to Trader Joe’s today and will look for them!)