The Long Run (or: Wandering Around Like a Crazy Person)

Now that I’m more of an adventurer than a competitive runner, I have a lot more flexibility with my Saturday long runs. Gone are the days of Saturday fast 20 milers on the track and 20 mile hill repeats. I’m not saying I won’t incorporate some of those things if I pick another big race, but for now, I’m really enjoying the long “journey” runs.

First of all, I get to wake up whenever I want. So maybe I’m still wide awake at 3:45, but dammit, if I want to wake up at 4:15 I can. Stop bossing me! Second, I get to go wherever I want. Up the mountain? Why not? Along the river? Sure! To New Mexico? Who’s going to stop me? There is no one to complain about too many (or not enough) hills, the traffic, the isolation, the cold, the heat. Actually, I complain about all of those things, but it is waaaaaaaay more annoying when other people do it.

Journey runs through the city, what I do mostly, are fascinating. To keep it interesting, you have to go places in your own town you’ve probably never spent much, if any, time in. And oddly, I find that if you are wearing a pack, people are super friendly. I don’t know if it’s the “freak” factor (as in: Who the hell is running through my neighborhood in the snow/rain/102 degree heat wearing a suitcase?), or if I just look friendly. Either way, I just smile and wave. And they always wave back.

And, they never complain.