'Hood Run, Take Two

Over the weekend, we're supposed to rest one day and do "20-30 minutes of easy activity" on the other. I didn't know there was such a thing as easy activity that lasts more than 20 minutes, so I decided to rest both days. But then towards the end of the day on Sunday I started feeling guilty. Since my run with Jenn went much better than I thought it would, I decided to give that first 1.44 mile route another try. It went much better than the first attempt, but it was still nothing pretty to witness. Maybe it was because I knew the route and could believe that even if it felt like it never would, it would end at some point. Maybe it was because I did my best to follow the structured run for three minutes, walk for three. Or maybe it was because I waited until the sun was almost gone to start running and I live in the ghetto. Whatever the reason, the route that took me 38 minutes to complete five days ago only took me 26 minutes this time. Small but significant victory. There were still lots of side pains and several moments when I convinced myself I absolutely had to slow to a walk or I was going to stop breathing. But I did get to break up a street fight between two teenage girls in the middle of it, so that was nice. Now I'm heading to bed three hours earlier than I normally would on a Sunday. Not only have I been forced to consume more protein, veggies, and whole grains, now my body shuts down before midnight. I thought working on your fitness goals was supposed to keep you young, but really it's turning me into an old lady. Geriatric meals and bedtimes. It is kind of nice, though.