6th September 2010

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How to Fail at Going for a Run

How to fail at going for a run (in my case while training for a 1/2 marathon)

1. Get up psyched to run
2. Plot out the perfect running course including a new fun route, new scenery and a new distance you can’t wait to achieve
3. Get your gear on and go!
4. Run at an easy pace to not tire yourself out on the new route and longer distance, no need to be too tired with a mile to go
5. Get to just past mile 2, the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, and realize the next 2 miles of your route, though the shade and hills of the cemetery roads, is not allowed. Curse to yourself but carry on because THIS is your route and the cemetery seems quiet.
6. Go a little bit further and start to question whether you are still on the right route. Also, walk. Not because you are tired (because that is ok), not because you are sore (because that is ok), not to catch your breath (also ok) but because there are too many people around for you to feel comfortable breaking clearly posted rules.
7. Go a bit further, realize you are totally on the wrong set of paths because the Mt. Auburn Cemetery is HUGE with more trails than you had on your original map and that there are too many people out for you to feel comfortable running.
8. Walk back to the entrance as directly as you can, muttering and cursing yourself under your breath for ruining your long training run because you only have a bout 5 weeks to work up to 13 miles.
9. Jog home the same way you came, continuing to mutter and curse.

On the plus side, I did still go for a jog and can do a longer run tomorrow. Also, it let me realize I didn’t have enough of a food and liquid base to really actually do a full long run.

So remember, No Jogging, No Picnicking, No Biking, No Rollerblading or any other thing that could be viewed as disrespectful in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Also, bring a map.

Tags runninglifeMistakes