Hips and Knees and Backs, Oh My!

I went running with a couple friends after work today. This exchange pretty much sums up how it went:

Mitchell: So, have you been making any spiritual connections through your running?
Me: Yes. "DEAR JESUS! (huff puff) PLEASE DON'T LET ME DIE!"

It didn't go very well, but it was a super duper learning experience. What did I learn, you ask? I will list the things I learned...now:

1. I HATE not knowing where I'm going or how far I'm running. We took a beautiful route, but I was completely unfamiliar with it, so when Steve said, "I think we're about halfway," I gasped and said, "I gotta walk." There may have been a "frick" in there, too. In my head, it seemed like we should be almost done, but without know where we were or where we were going, I had no point of reference. And it seemed like we had been running forever. Which leads to...

2. I hate not know how LONG I've been running. I always have my iPod on, so I have an idea that it's been a half hour once the podcast ends or whatever. But today I didn't have it because I was running with other people and assumed that I would be able to talk with them. I also don't have a watch, which will probably change tomorrow. Again, no point of reference.

3. Running with people is way different. I love Steve and Mitch, but I think I like running alone better. They were great. They never made me feel stupid and they walked with me the few times I needed to. I thought I'd be able to talk with them or at least listen to what they were talking about, but really I was just trying to keep going. Breathe and keep moving. Maybe that'll change as I continue to build my endurance, I don't know.

4. Running after work is not my thing. The last time I didn't run in the morning was that horrible run in the summer. That was like 3 months ago. It's a fact: I'm a morning runner.

5. I had pains today I haven't had before. My hips, knees and back all hurt at some point. I'm not sure what to do with that exactly. I'm just going to count it as an abrasion.

6. I've gotta get faster, if only to get ahead of the farters. Seriously...did NOT need that.

Bottomline, it was a rough run, but I'm choosing to look at it as a learning experience. I learned a lot about myself. I experienced something I've never experienced before; with two good friends to boot. And we ran (mostly) for almost an 1:20. That's good.

Oh, and we got back just in time for our men's small group. I didn't shower or change. Then I went to Subway to meet with a friend for an hour...still in my running clothes. That was a first. And probably a last. I thought I smelled successful, but I think everyone else thought I smelled like dead gerbil.

Here's to a successful day of learning on the run.

See what I did there? Yeah, that's nice.