I Had a Dream...Once --B210K 2.1

My parents live in the same city as I do. It's a big part of what brought me here. When I decided that I would start training for a 10K, I mapped out how far it was to my parents. It was not as far as 10K! Very happy. I would make running to their home part of my training. It became a dream to be able to run all the way to their house, and back.

Today I thought I would start heading that way, and see how far I would go. Basing my distance on my virtual running partner, KNBO'R's, run from yesterday, I plotted out 3.6 miles, knowing that with a new run, there were be obstacles I've never encountered before, and may not make it as far as she did, about 3.75 miles.

I have walked most of this area before, and driven the rest. I had two fears: Going under I-5 at the river's edge (there is a hidden paved path), and how steep the hill was on my return trip at a different portion that goes under I-5.

I stepped out of the house, later than I wanted, but I still did it. I discovered my app wasn't working, so I turned off the phone, turned it on, and lo and behold, the battery was near dead! My phone does this sometimes... loses battery juice and keeps it a secret... I decided I would run the 2008 cro-magnon method and use my timer. I wanted to keep my phone functional in case of emergency.

As I walked toward the first skeeeery point, the terrain went up up Up UP UUUUPPPP! Oh brother. Nice. I had forgotten since I walked it last summer. I trudged along and got through it. Going under I-5 was only moderately terrifying, but I was glad it was broad daylight. I reached the major road on the West side of I-5 and discovered...no sidewalks. Oh well, I'll play "The jogger and stroller are a bike today" game. The further north I went on this major road, the busier it got. I passed by business after business, and realized I must have gotten over my imaginary audience issue. However, I keep waiting for half of my Facebook friends to post that they saw me. That's nice.

I got to the corner of the major intersection and discovered an obstacle I didn't account for. Crosswalks with lights. UGHHHHHH... I made it work, and ran and ran and ran. I know how thankful cars are (because I usually am one) when you run THROUGH the crosswalk, rather than two steps and then walk the rest of the way. haha. I ran and ran and ran. I was amazed at the amount of exhaust, but kept going. I realized I left my inhaler at home (nice). I made it to what I knew from pre-mapping to be my halfway mark, and crossed the street again, and ran... and ran and ran. I encountered construction, but it wasn't in my way. I ran back toward the busy busy intersection with full intent to not return the way I came, but to go forward, creating a loop. Upon further plodding, I discovered the sidewalk ended. (ARGH!!!) I had to go into the bike lane. And then the bike lane HAD to move in between two lanes of traffic. Do you know what it's like sitting in the absolute middle of busy traffic with your baby in a jogging stroller, prepping to go under I-5? It's so bad. So bad.

As soon as I could, I skirted over to the side again, and discovered the bike lane was half chewed up by construction. The construction area was loose sediment, and near impossible to push a stroller through. Forget running. I pondered if it was safer to be outside the cones into traffic, or within the cones into construction. I opted for construction because they weren't close enough that I could hear their phones ringing, like I could with the traffic going by.

The dust from the construction, the exhaust, the major hills... I wasn't expecting any of it, or I greatly underestimated it. If I wanted cross country, this was surely it.

As soon as I could, I ducked into a parking lot that cut through to the major street that leads to my home. Cars did what they usually do, and poured into the parking lot, slowing quickly in alarm at the silly jogger pushing her baby. They were so courteous though, and I was thankful. This was not turning out as I had planned.

I got to the major street, which parallels I-5. So pleasant. I knew there was a bike lane there, so my plan was to bike lane and then sidewalk the entire way down the massive hill. Unfortunately a healthy portion of the bike lane was about 16 inches wide. This was not wide enough to navigate myself or my sweet baby safely enough down a hill and around blind curves. I had put us in peril and I was really upset. I decided to make my route longer, and go where I knew it'd be safe. I had driven it before. I knew my way.

And yet, I knew my way in the car, and not by foot. I snaked hither and yon, finding the way home. I was thankful to be home. I obviously went further than predetermined, and ran longer than intended. I walked more than intended too, but I ran every moment I could.

I will never do that again. Or I will do it with more precaution and planning, and a better route. I have learned that the view from the driver's seat is different from the view from your feet. I am glad there was varying terrain and I did well. My legs didn't hurt too badly despite the hills, and my breathing was consistent. Peach was awesome the whole time. And my phone didn't die. Barely.

Thursday I'm just going to keep doing the .8 mile loops at the park over and over. I'd rather not be in danger, or be an obstruction. One day I will run to my parents. It will just be earlier in the day, and on a well, preplanned route!

I welcomed the shower, and now will be welcoming a well-earned nap, in my humble opinion. I can't wait until Thursday. I will never take for granted my sleepy neighborhood again!