Wednesday, September 26, 2007

 

I Did a Night Run

I have been traveling for a couple days so I need to catch up a bit. I wanted to do a semi-long run on Sunday morning but circumstances intervened, and I wasn't able to get it in first thing in the morning. The afternoon got too hot so I waited until after the kids went to bed. My first real NIGHT RUN!! I was excited and anxious. Here are some things I learned:

1. Ice in the camelback sounds like someone is right on your tail. I've noticed this before, but it seems LOUDER at night. It sort of sounded like I had my own minion clapping coconuts like King Arthur in Spamalot! :)

2. People are not as friendly at night (shocking in Iowa). Nighttime is when you NEED them to be friendly because you can quickly rule them out as axe murderers or stalkers if they are friendly. Because they aren't very friendly, you think everyone could potentially be an axe murderer or a stalker.

3. Sticking to VERY main streets that are well lit is a good plan. Taking one, "oh this won't be that bad" street will be darker than you imagined and might scare the bejesus out of you.

4. The main street gets darker by the cemetery.

5. The cemetery is a little creepy to run by at night.

6. Even if you turn your head and tell yourself not to look, A) the cemetery is still there; B) the cemetery is still creepy; and C) you will still peak!

7. You don't think that much about your running when you are a little nervous about other things.

8. If you aren't careful, instead of just writing your blog in your head as you run, you could start writing your obituary because you are sure you are going to be attacked by some axe murderer or stalker.

9. I thought all this might make me faster but it didn't.

10. In retrospect, the big ugly spider I found in the laundry basket AFTER the run was way worse than anything actually DURING the run. I HATE SPIDERS!!

11. My mom would shoot me if she ever read this or found out that I ran outside, by myself, after dark.

12. I will definitely do it again!! :D

7 miles with a couple .25 mile walk breaks. Monday and Tuesday off, which means, I need to run today.



# posted by Non-Runner Nancy @ 9:20 AM
Comments:
Yeah Nancy! Good for you for going out after the kids are in bed. Snuggling kids into bed is my kiss of death - it takes away all my good intentions and makes me so sleepy.

And way to go on your run. I probably side with your mom - it isn't always safe - but have also done a few at night and know how good it feels to get them in.

Take care,

Amy
http://blog.runnerslounge.com
# posted by Blogger amy@runnerslounge.com : September 26, 2007 10:52 AM
 
sometimes i don't mind going past creepy place because I figure it helps my pace. spiders definitely trump dead people!
# posted by Blogger Deene : September 26, 2007 11:03 AM
 
I love to run at night, but picking the more brightly lit paths is definitely key. And I DEFINITELY don't run down the gay stroll by the river (which is perfectly innocuous during the day.)

But good on you for getting out there.
Nat
# posted by Blogger Moral Victories : September 26, 2007 11:07 AM
 
Ice in the camelback, I've never heard that before, but my hair against the tag in my shirt always makes me think someone is behind me.

I don't think about all these other things that often, I think because I shut my brain down when I run.

Great job pulling out 7 miles after the kids went to sleep.
# posted by Blogger ws : September 26, 2007 11:16 AM
 
GREAT recap of your run! I can relate to a few of them!
# posted by Blogger Neese : September 26, 2007 11:43 AM
 
I always thought it was the really nice people you had to watch out for at night. Ya know. Like the dude standing on the side of the path with an ax in one hand and a half a case of Bud Light in the other...

Running at night rocks :-) That's where I spent most of my first six months!!!
# posted by Blogger Wes : September 26, 2007 12:24 PM
 
Too funny! I enjoy running at night but I too get yelled at. Even though you are doing the same workout it feels different. Good for you for getting it done and keep to the best lit paths.
# posted by Blogger Jamie : September 26, 2007 1:37 PM
 
OMG Nancy you are so brave!!! Night running creeps me out. Although so does early morning running, yet I still do that :P

I've run through a cemetary during the day but never at night. That's just too crazy for me LOL
# posted by Blogger Marcy : September 26, 2007 2:27 PM
 
I agree - nightrunners are definately not as friendly. I wonder if they think we can't see their face so they think they don't have to smile. hmmmmmmm
# posted by Blogger P.O.M. : September 26, 2007 2:27 PM
 
Very cool night run. Great job! If you haven't read it yet, you should pick up Dean Karnazes' book. Some very good night running stories there along with some tips. There is a link to his site on my blog.
# posted by Blogger Chad in the Arizona Desert : September 26, 2007 2:57 PM
 
Nice job!! It took me a few times to get used to night runs but now I enjoy them. I do agree though to stick to main streets.
# posted by Blogger J~mom : September 26, 2007 4:04 PM
 
Oh my word! I'm way to much of a fraidy cat to run at night! I'm proud that you could do it, but it's not for me... yet.
# posted by Blogger Andria : September 26, 2007 4:15 PM
 
hey! glad you found me, cause now i found you ... fun blog! your night run sounds like my pre-dawn morning runs. you're not always thinking about the actual run, cause you are wondering what van you are going to get tossed into & get chopped up into little bits. at least, that's what i'm always afraid of! ... and i've been breathing so hard on some of my intervals, that i swear someone was closing in on me too! hope you wear a little blinky light!
# posted by Blogger See Zanne Run : September 26, 2007 5:02 PM
 
This is one to print out and keep in the back pocket for when you need a pick-me-up.

What scared "the bejesus" (GREAT word!) out of me in the dark were the short bushes on the side of the road. I kept thinking they were small animals when they would russle in the breeze.

Did you ever scream OUT LOUD, or just in your head?
# posted by Blogger Patty : September 26, 2007 5:10 PM
 
The cemetary would be VERY creepy at night!

BTW, I am trying to link your blog to mine, and I'm having trouble. Has anyone else had trouble linking your feed?
# posted by Blogger Jess : September 26, 2007 5:28 PM
 
Ooooh. You are brave! If I ran at night, I think I would take my dog even though he is an obnoxious running partner.
# posted by Blogger Jenny : September 26, 2007 5:55 PM
 
I love the ice in the Camelback image. Glad you felt comfortable enough to consider doing it again.
# posted by Blogger Crabby : September 26, 2007 7:46 PM
 
I don't know of anyone else having problems, Jess.

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?
# posted by Blogger Non-Runner Nancy : September 26, 2007 8:12 PM
 
You're not the only one who hates spiders.
# posted by Blogger Christie Love : September 26, 2007 8:22 PM
 
lol...thanks for making me laugh! I was nodding my head in agreement about the whole time reading it.

Hurray for you for getting your run in!
# posted by Blogger Running Ragged : September 26, 2007 9:17 PM
 
woohoo, AWESOME job on the night run! It's something I'm still too nervous to do for myself, although I always think it sounds like such a nice idea. I am totally with you on the spiders, though. UGH.
# posted by Blogger Moon : September 26, 2007 9:36 PM
 
sounds wonderful!!
# posted by Blogger DawnB : September 26, 2007 10:11 PM
 
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