Running Commentary

Up early again this morning, as on Wednesday. When I caught the bus at 6:51, in the dark, in the rain, the driver asked me where I was going. When I said to work, he wanted to know why. He gestured to his rear and I realized there was no one on the bus but me! We did pick up two more before we hit the bridge, but that was it. I want to have an easy day so I can do 10 miles tomorrow morning. I'd thought I'd walk out to Bay and Mason this morning to find the SF Trader Joe's, but then I realized it wouldn't be open this early. So here I am, alone in the office. I'm sure one reason I love distance running is for its enforced solitude. Being alone has rarely been an uncomfortable state for me. I like the feeling of mental spaciousness evoked by a dearth of company. There are those who would emphatically confirm my mental spaciousness, but I won't bring them up by name. I am not a fast runner. When I train I do it by time and then in my log give myself a mile for ever...

Seems appropriate that starting my running blog has been a process marked by glitches. Couldn't remember my magic passwords; forgot to bring my notes to work with me; ran out of time to fool with it. This hiccoughing process is like my running has been the last few weeks. I have a plan, a schedule, and then either it rains or time runs out or the gym is closed (like last night) -- and my plan is on hold. But this morning I did get in a run. At 4:35 a.m. I was out the door. I love running early, in the dark, on a empty stomach, before the day has filled up my head. I went 5.5 miles -- which will still leave me short of my goal for this week of 22. Right now I'm at 11.5, with rain in the forecast and too many tasks to do. Here I am at work, playing hookey from the serious business of bringing beauty and quality to the wonderful world of bookmaking. Clarification: I'm not a bookie -- I am a publishing production editor. Maybe being a bookie would be more profitable???

Coming soon -- my running blog. Stay tuned.