Me vs the Timer : Round 2

21 Jan 2006

Back to this timer thing: Tonight on my run I actually took my watch. I usually head out with reckless abandon, happy to close the front door without responsibilities following me, unhappy that I have to run to get out of them. Anyway, I head out with my MP3 player strapped to my arm and Avery yelling Mommmmmmmyyyy” and banging on the door. It’s so sad really, but I race to put on my headphones and lock out the guilt. I like to run with her in the jogging stroller; it’s the only stroller she is really happy in. Sometimes, she tells me when to set out – she climbs in with her sippy cup and swings her legs contently until I notice.

But, I’m on a mission with this watch thing. Really, I despise all watches. I can be uncharacteristically type A, but my time management skills shoot me straight into my reality – somewhere were accomplishment and satisfaction occur and different speeds. So back to the watch – it is ingenious – a watch that you calibrate on a 400M track for it to tell you the speed, miles, time, and speed average. Way too scientific, but since I’ve had this thing a year I thought I better use it.

I take off, jamming out to Moby, Blackeyed Peas, Tori Amos, and 50 Cent, an unusual compellation but it keeps me going. With these Adidas Climalite pants that are a little too long to be Capris and too short to be pants, I find myself wishing I had socks that reached the bare skin that is quickly turning blue. My hands are bare and clenched tightly as if this protects them from frostbite. I think “This is San Antonio, not North Dakota.” and “Why exactly am I running?” I’m exactly ½ mile into this run and at a fast pace too. I love this watch. “Wait”, here comes a hill and more wind. This quickly takes my pace from fast to just short of a turtle’s crawl. Meanwhile, I’m looking at the mileage creep and my average speed go to an unimpressive time.

Thrity minutes into the wind (run) I don’t think this watch is very good for me. First of all, I am not competitive, I could care less who wins or loses. I ran track in school and was so proud that I was the only whitey on the relay team and the only reason I cared then was that people where depending on me and I didn’t like the feeling of other people in front of me ( I have personal space issues). However, I AM competitive with myself and I am quickly on my way to do my personal worst. Sadly, I am only satisfied when I have done better than the time before and surely with this watch I am in ruins. Don’t feel bad for me: I admit it I am a quiter; If it doesn’t come easy, forget it.

Finally, after the second loop around Laurel Ridge – a mental institution for teenagers I always feel in the blanks here with the cars that come and go - I am almost home and I refuse to look at this watch hanging like a brick on my arm. Phew, past the neighbors (I always pick up speed here because I really don’t want them analyzing the fact that my pants are too tight) and in the doorway. My hands are so cold I briefly think about using my teeth. I briskly walk in and “what’s this?” I ran 3.58 miles in 34 minutes with the average speed of 9.05 (so I walked a little). Wow, I’ve always thought that run was only 3 miles. I’m on my way – I’m ready to conquer this Beach to the Bay race! I love to run! I’m running tomorrow! And I’m taking the watch! Bring on the powdered donuts!!!!