I wanted to start the year off with a "long" run. For me, long is: to the park, one loop around, and back home. About 5 miles. That's JB's regular run. It is some people's short run. But this isn't a contest, and for me, that's still a long run.
There's a problem with the long run. A problem I call "the hill." Those of you who run or bike or skate in Prospect Par, Brooklyn know what I am talking about. I hate the hill. Hate it lots. Hate it so much that (at J's suggestion), I once ran up it, down it, and back up again in an attempt to shake my dread.
When I'm with someone, I whine my way up the hill. If I am feeling clever, I ask them a question that takes them the hill to answer and thus distracts me.
But on my long New Year's week run, I was alone. And so, inspired by a conversation the day before between JB and our zippy friend I'll call "Long Legs Steve", I ran in the other direction.
So simple. It's a loop. If you don't want to run up the hill, run the other way. Run DOWN the hill.
(It is true that whatever way you go, you still have to go up. But up the long way is very different than up the short, steep way).
My run in the other direction? It was fun. It was (almost) easy. I enjoyed running "against traffic" and looking at the people that I passed. People of all ages, sizes, and abilities exercise in the park. It's inspiring, and when you run towards them there is no competition about passing them, or them passing you.
The run in the other direction also surprised me. There were parts of the park that I didn't recognize. Things I felt like I had never seen before. A couple of times I looked around and wasn't completely sure where I was.
It's a true cliche about how doing something differently changes your perspective. In 2012, I'm going to try to run in the other direction often. (And up the hill sometimes). I encourage you to try it too. Walk instead of run. Sit on the other side of your desk. Stand on the train if you usually sit. Sit if you usually stand. Do something little to change the way you see the world, and admire how different it looks.
the other morning, i found myself on the Q platform at the start of my 3-train commute with NOTHING to read. instead of dozing off, decided to look around and take in details and faces i probably see every day but don't really see. i will never intend to leave for work without a book, but i liked the change. i like running in the other direction.
ReplyDeletebut i also need to conquer dread (of the hill).