My Next Run

These days, I've been investing quite a bit of time finding the best route for My Next Run. Thanks to mapmyrun.com, I've put aside much needed time on my research (and other people's research) in an overzealous attempt to be well prepared for My Next Run. YES, I think to myself, this'll be great! I've never run by the river in this area before and OOH, I definitely need to run in this neighborhood more often to incorporate more hills! Armed with my new iPod, I'm sure that my next run will be AWESOME despite running sans JZA.

The truth is, I sometimes forget that I need to actually bring a map with me or memorize the route before I head out for the run. Last week, JZA and I ran in circles through trails because of my blunder, though we did manage to create a route that was the 10-miler than we had wanted. (If you read my last post however, *we* didn't manage to actually complete the run strong.) And the other day, I found an amazing route around a park and had planned to bike over after work and then head home to prepare for the BBQ that was also part of my evening plans.

Instead, I ran what looked like--at least on the map--a boring route around the house. It WAS a boring route, that is, relatively un-scenic and along side big roads. On the upside, running by UofM's athletic compound and then The Big House was definitely inspiring. But more inspiring than the scenery was how strong I felt as I powered up the rolling hills, how much I love the sensation of hard work and sweat and how I feel as though I'm developing an intimate relationship with Ann Arbor as I run through an increasing multitude of her streets. With It's My Life blaring through my headset (nevermind that Gwen Stefani has built her career on misappropriating culture, I convince myself), I make a mental note not to worry about planning My Next Run.

I felt a little tight after my run the following day (yesterday) so in keeping with the philosophy of better-to-run-less-than-run-injured, I took a day off. Indeed, it was time well spent as Anna and I played all day in our back yard. Up and down the slide we went, push push push on the swing and then of course, after the 'Hum-on Mama, let's go eat' we had to go for a long walk to the local Vietnamese restaurant for lunch. After her afternoon nap, we hung out with our overachieving UofM friends over a bbq and realized how lucky I am to be in Ann Arbor (at least for now).

Now, it's time to prepare for My Next Run Later today...