why I run

[jazzfish]

I run because the morning clouds delight me.

I run because my neighborhood has a couple of cool houses, and parks I would have never found otherwise, and last year there was an old guy doing t'ai chi on the school lawn when I went by.

I run because there's genuine, measurable improvement in my ability from day to day.

I run because I don't like gasping for breath when I climb stairs.

I run because I value having time with my own thoughts.

I run because I can.

I run because balance is the way of the runner. (The line from that book that has always stuck with me: "A lie: speed is the way of the runner.")

---

The ache in my calves this morning (and yesterday morning) seems unrelated to running; while I was moving this morning it mostly dissipated. Came back with a vengeance when I walked down the steps to go to work, though. I'm blaming it on the preponderance of stairs in elf's (obscenely opulent) new digs.

Also, it's so much easier to keep moving when the air's cooled down a bit and I don't feel like I'm redlining. Friday was horrid. Today, I didn't even notice much difficulty until after the 20-minute mark. I cannot wait for August to be over.

Comments

[pictsy.livejournal.com]

I run because the Alien queen is after me.

Yeah, that's pretty much the only thing that could do it.

[pictsy.livejournal.com]

Bad example though—I guess she's generally immobile. But definitely one of her agile spawn.

[jazzfish]

Yeah, I was thinking, "you wouldn't even have to run very fast. . ." :)

I get a lot of "but why put yourself through that?" type questions. I figure this way, even if they can't understand the answer, they'll know that there is one.

[selki.livejournal.com]

Aw, she's pretty quick once the egg sack rips loose.

[elvenyukiryu.livejournal.com]

Wow, you actually made me want to run. Didn't think it was possible. Walking is more my speed. :).
@
PS. Yes, August sucks.

[jazzfish]

Excellent! :) The jury's still out on whether I enjoy running itself, as opposed to all the secondary benefits. Walking definitely has its advantages at times.

And, good lord. Every year August gets worse. My goal for 2010 is to spend August somewhere other than DC.

[jameshroberts.livejournal.com]

I actually thought this was a mild August compared to what I remember growing up 'round here. Maybe I've been gone too long to remember properly. Also, I haven't spent much time outdoors this summer. Most of my running takes place on a treadmill.

[jazzfish]

Every year around mid-September I block out my memories of how bad summer was, and every year around early June I start to remember again.

I suspect a treadmill would frustrate me. All that effort and I'm not /going/ anywhere! I get enough of that in the rest of my life.

[jameshroberts.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely it's frustrating that you never go anywhere on the treadmill. But I have it set up in front of a glowing rectangle (in CA it was the TV, here it's the downstairs computer), so that I'll run at all. I figure, if I'm going to waste time watching stuff, I might as well be moving while I do it. I'll select a TV or anime series I have on DVD and cram it in the drive. I'm ONLY allowed to watch that series while on the treadmill. Sometimes I'll try a movie if I can't decide which series to watch next. But movies don't have convenient breakpoints, and I'm not up to a two hour session.

[selki.livejournal.com]

I read the sequel to D'Shai, Hour of the Octopus, first, not realizing it was a sequel. I liked it very well (the world, and the characters/characterization). Have you read it, too?

[jazzfish]

I have not, actually, though I've been meaning to for ages now. I only read D'Shai because it came by accident from the SFBC. I keep wanting to find a hardback of Octopus, but no luck.

[selki.livejournal.com]

I put paperback in jelly jar bag to give to uilos nxt game session. Would have given it toher ths but had to work horribly late.

[jazzfish]

Oh. :) Thank you.

[chaobell]

I run because I can.

Yep.

Also, August and I are f'n done professionally.

[jazzfish]

I hear that. I see one more hint of this nonsense, I'm taking out a restraining order against August. Ninety-five degree temps and ninety percent humidity are not to come within one hundred yards of my home or workplace.

[plumbob78.insanejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

August definitely sucks. I think you need to go to Nothern Europe before it stops sucking.

[jazzfish]

Yeah, even the few August days I've spent in the Pac-NW were kinda unpleasant. More so because nobody believes in air conditioning up there, since, hey, it's only bad for a month or two, right? Yeesh.

I'm thinking, summers in the Yukon.

[babushek.livejournal.com]

My own list would have "afternoon light on the trees" for "morning clouds" and "biggest frakking snake I've ever seen in the wild" for "old guy doing tai chi," but...yes, this. Also, "I run because it brings me peace."

[babushek.livejournal.com]

Also, DC August can suck it.

Although today wasn't too bad.

[jazzfish]

*smile* Exactly. You understand.

And re yesterday not being too bad: Don't let it sucker you in! August is the devil, and it comes to do the devil's work.

[jonny-law.livejournal.com]

Good point. I've kind of let the running lapse since moving to a place where I walk everywhere. As I may have mentioned, my definition of fitness is being able to hold a conversation while walking up 5 flights of stairs without getting winded. I think I will start taking the stairs when I come home from now on. Plus it will help me get over my fear of fire, or at least having to get back home after while the elevators are still offline or jammed with other people.

August everywhere is bad, except maybe in the Southern Hemisphere. Even August in San Diego is bad, because since "the weather is always good" there people don't believe in insulation, let alone air conditioning. It's fine if you're living in a million-dollar shack that has a view of the beach, but inland quickly becomes desert.

[jazzfish]

I figure walking everywhere is a reasonable substitute. I also run because I drive too many places.

And, yeah, even in the Pac-NW this year August was rough. I am Displeased by global warming on a personal level.

[playing-tragic.livejournal.com]

I like the *idea* of running. The whole Chariots of Fire schtick is mad inspiring. However, the reality of running is it makes my boobs hurt. ... Okay, mebbe that was too much sharing. (but it's still true even if I duct tape those puppies down.)