I like to run. Not only is it good exercise, but it’s a good way to enjoy some fresh air, relieve stress, and see my neighborhood. Unless I’m running on a treadmill in the basement. Then it’s just good exercise and trying not to stare at the digital mileage display.Many runners listen to music while running, but I prefer not to. I’m not one of those fancy multi-taskers who can run, and chew gum, and breathe, and listen to music, and avoid being hit by a car at the same time, so I try to keep it simple. When I’m running it’s just me and…well, me.That gives me plenty of time to think. I’m a big fan of thinking.So if you ever see me running through your neighborhood here are a few things I might be thinking.“No, I don’t need a ride.” This doesn’t come up often, and it usually only happens when I’m running in a rural area, but I’ve had people in cars stop and ask me if I needed a ride. I know that the idea of someone running for fun instead of trying to get to a destination is foreign to some people, but no, I don’t need a ride. Unless you see me limping badly, or being chased by someone with a chainsaw or an ax. Then yes, I probably do need a ride.“I’m not stopping. I’m not stopping.” This is different than the “I can’t quit,” thought that I have when I’m in the middle of a difficult run and want to give up. “I’m not stopping” comes as a warning to people standing in their front yard.As in, “I don’t care if your dog is chasing me, and you’re calling its name, and it won’t come back because its biological predisposition to chase things has kicked in. Your failure to properly restrain your dog does not require me to interrupt my run so you can get your dog. Sorry, but I’m not stopping. Either the dog or I will eventually get tired, so you can get him then.”“Yes, I do realize that I’m running in the road.” While I’ve never had a driver actually stop and yell at me for running in the road, I can feel the scornful looks every now and then. Some drivers don’t like to share the road with anything other than other drivers in cars. Especially if sharing the road means they have to yield for two seconds while I cross at an intersection.I run in the road because asphalt is softer on my knees than the concrete sidewalk. And also because when I encounter a car that’s parked across a sidewalk I get infuriated and hurt myself when I try to pickup the car and flip it on its roof.“I see you.” This is my mental check-in with car drivers. If a car is approaching me and I can see the driver, I make sure to make eye contact so the driver knows that I see them, and so they see me. Sometimes I add a “So don’t think about running me over,” just for good measure.“2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12…” If I’m thinking about those numbers, then in all likelihood I’ve fallen into the trap of counting my steps. This happens sometimes when my mind is blank or when I subconsciously detect the rhythm of my steps, and it is maddening! I’d much rather hum It’s a Small World for the entire run than count my steps, and that song can drive you crazy.“The wind will be better as soon as I turn the corner.” This is a lie, but I keep trying to fool myself into believing it. I know it seems to violate the laws of physics or meteorology or some other sciencey stuff, but I’m sure that sometimes when I run, the wind blows in all four directions at once, and it’s always in my face. It’s great. And by great I mean horrible.So if you see me running and I look like I’m in pain, don’t be alarmed. Everything’s probably fine, and I’m just thinking one of the thoughts above.Unless the chainsaw guy catches up with me. Then I’m screwed.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Let your fingers run on over to my Facebook page Brett Baker Writes and Like it, please.
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