Social Workout

Workout

wonka-thoughts.

Today, I did a 16-mile long run with the New York Road Runners - the longest run of my life to date. The beauty of doing an "official" long run, is that you don't have to worry about the details -- water and gatorade stations are set up, mile markers in place, snacks and power gels are availble, pacers are ready to make sure you hit your time goal even as you get tired. I was really happy that killercadoogan joined me at 7am, despite the fact that he had work right after.

And so we began our run. I made a deal with myself that I would not allow ANY negative thinking for the entire run. I could only say and think nice things about the run, no matter what. Killercadoogan even named this game for me! Wonka-thoughts! We made it a game and started thinking about what running paradise would be like. 

Wonka-land is a magical place....somehow, when you're there, you can see the energy in everything that's around you, and you absorb it straight into you via osmosis. So, you never get tired! You run on a cushion-y, air-y surface and it's always beautifully sunny with a light breeze. You even have some theme music playing as you run! There are lots of other people running, so you always have someone to have an interesting conversation with. And, of course, it goes without saying that you have personal cheerleaders along the run. All around you grow trees and plants, drooping heavily with sugary, carb-y goodness that you just pluck off when you need a little boost...In some random places, there's even some chocolate-covered bacon. Not sure how that go there ! When you get thirsty, you simply pull one of the giant water-storing liana to your mouth. You can basically keep running for ever and ever in Wonka-land!

As we passed mile after mile, I found that even .just saying "wonka-thoughts" started to make me feel good! I thought through all the little details that would make this place awesome, and was thoroughly entertained. Yes, it actually kept me busy for a good chunk of the 3 hours and 20 minutes we ended up running. It was an amazing run...and, in many ways, we were indeed running in Wonka-land. There was drink and snacks. The weather was the best it's been in weeks. A group of male runners were running behind us for a while, singing a capella. There were lots of people to chat with. There were lots more cheering. And, just in enjoying all of these little things, my feet and knees didn't hurt me quite as much and my breath stayed even. It wasn't that hard of a run...I could have kept going. Yay for wonka-thoughts!

Sunday Minutes:
20 minute walk to central park
200 minutes run
15 minutes to gym
10 minutes to hair dresser
20 minutes to get home
30 minutes laundry & food shopping
30 minutes to mom's place and back