mismatched misfit

There’s a lingering ouch in my left foot reminding me of today’s run. Don’t ask me. I have not a clue why. The wet hair is another story.

Faced with working through another lunch or heading out into VERY wet and blustery weather, I chose the latter. Really — it was a no brainer. If there was any hesitation it would be due to the fact that my scheduled run was for 8 miles (with 6 miles at tempo pace) and the afternoon 1-to-1 session with my boss. Not only did I want to go, I needed a hard run to work off the building stress. And so…

When my workout bag proved that I had failed to do a thorough inventory of my gear, I didn’t falter from my goal.

It didn’t matter that I was missing:

• two matching socks
• an extra pair of undies
• a jacket
• a hat
• gloves that didn’t have holes (compliments of Ronin)

With mismatched socks, two shirts, and my holy gloves I ventured out.

Right away, I encountered a puddle so HUGE that there was no way to get around it without getting my shoes completely soaked. I was lucky not to soak my capris. After about a half mile, I paused to lock the bezel of Ms. G so that I didn’t have to hear her continually freaking out about the rain. In the process, I hit the lap button and, not realizing it right away, picked up the pace in seeing that I was in a new lap (earlier than expected).

At the same time I launched into tempo pace, the sky opened up. The rain came down in pelting fashion as if to beat me into submission. Seriously! I was actually hurting my face. To top it off, I am certain the wind was trying to blow me off the path. I fought it for two miles and, feeling completely defeated, turned back toward the office.

My mind worked the numbers as I got closer and closer to the office. Per my calculations, there was absolutely NO WAY that I could log this run without also noting the freak occurrence of snow storm. I continued on the path in the other direction for another mile before turning back.

By the time I’d finished this run, I was beyond drenched but glad to have gone out. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have enjoyed a run where virtually everyone I passed greeted me with a enthusiastic “Right on,” “Nice job” or “Hell Ya!”

And now I can log my run with pride that, although I cut my run short, I did it!