- Running in a new city, state, or just a new route.
- Snarling dogs not constrained by a fence or leash.
- Not reaching the turn around point before sun down.
- Running on a windy country road with almost no shoulder and on-coming traffic.
- Seeing the finish line.
- Seeing the cold beer sitting behind the finish line.
- Having to pee.
- Getting passed by a wheezing 80 year old using a walker.
- Getting just a whiff of runner’s high.
- An attractive runner with a nice smile.
- Treadmills
- Smiling runners going fast who look like they are having fun, and smell like soap
- Gel, goo, or other potions
- Expensive shoes
- Moisture wicking material (but you look cooler)
- My nike power song
- Images of myself qualifying for Boston
- Self delusions that I enjoy running.
- Hallucinations of running another full marathon
I have to say today that I hit numbers (1), (3), and (4) — hitting for the first time a sub 10:00 minute per mile pace, and getting a chipper boost from Tiger Woods letting me know he was timing me and his stopwatch had my fastest mile time yet (that comes from the Nike+ iPod).
Things that don’t make me run faster include
The next week is going to be challenging in terms of keeping to schedule- on Saturday I leave on a trip that will take me to Doha, Qatar for a week, so while I maye get the new scenery boost, the 20+ hours of plane travel and accompanying jet lag will be looming out there.
I love number 8. Reminds me of the commercial “me and my able walker.” Enjoy Doha and take some cool pics (no pun intended) of yourself running in a Desert… hey wait that is what you do anyways.
Safe trip and enjoy your training.
Chris