Running scared

Maybe it's the age or perhaps it is all of the band trips, but back when junior was in school, I don't recall everyone taking off at the same time.  Now that the son is off the grid in college, we are into a different routine and we no longer take off spring break.  So, that means I am working this week when, apparently, everyone else has taken off.  Was hoping to catch up this week but I cannot get anything done because it seems like 2/3rds of the place is gone.  It's the same story around Christmas time.  Yet, I don't begrudge them their time off to be with their families.  Been there.  Done that.  Life's too short to spend it all at work.  You have to take care of the important things - family & friends. 

Trying to get back into a rhythm of running at lunch.  I try to knock down a few miles instead of eating some greasy, fast food junk at the local irish establishment.  Now that winter is almost gone down here, I am trying to take advantage of the cooler temps before the hot & humid summer arrives.  Monday was a typical spring day in south Texas.  Cloudy, semi-cool, light wind, the threat of rain in the air.  The skies were dark and it looked like rain, but nothing really serious, so I chose to hit the trail.  Told myself that I wasn't going to let a little rain keep me from running.  If I ever intend on improving my 1/2 marathon time, I have to learn to run in all sorts of weather.  Started out ok, streets a bit wet and some smattering of raindrops.  But, the weather gods down here have a wicked sense of humor and decided that, around the 1/2 mark to cut loose.  I was still about 1.5 miles out and heading back and already getting soaked, so I cowboyed up and kept running.  Ain't gonna let a few raindrops stop me.  I was cutting through the parking lot of the local college when the bolt of lightening hit one of the lights in the parking lot knocking out power for the lights and scaring the beejesus out of me (not to mention the guy walking across said lot talking on his cell phone).  At that point, common sense took over and I detoured to one of the buildings on campus to wait out the storm.  I'll run when it is somewhat crappy out, but when lightening is being tossed around, I'll yield the battlefield.  Besides, running while crouched over does not improve my times.  After about 20 minutes of deluge, it let up enough for me to wade back to work.  Next time, I think I will stick with the treadmill...       


Spring's just around the corner