The City-Pier-City run
Mar. 11th, 2013 11:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mekyriaI started running in 2010 when the weather was soft and I was feeling fed up with being cooped inside. I started on a full-time trainee ship in 2009 and I was feeling like I was slowely turning into a desk monkey. I don't do well in a 9-5 environment where you are expected to sit still and act mature all the time. Lucky for me, my current workplace doesn't mind me practicing my dance moves in the hallway.
Back to 2010. Ikaiya was already running, and I got my ass over to Run2Day for a analysis of my running technique and a fine pair of matching shoes. I started running on Sunday afternoons, along the Rhine canal close to my neighborhood. The waves, the wind, the boats passing and people walking their dog entertained me. I ran without ipod, just me and the wind in my ears.
After making my frst couple of runs in cotton shirts I quickly decided that running gear was probably much more comfortable. I was right, and running became easier. When I was unemployed for seven weeks during the summer of 2010 I ran three times a week, app 5-8k. I even started timing my runs but quickly discovered that it took away from the reason why I run: to relax and not overthink things. The stopwatch ended up in the back of a drawer.
Then I got unemployed again at the start of 2011 and my boyfriend, who I'd been with for 10 years, moved out. It was a difficult time, getting used to being alone, not having a job to identify myself with. Instead I spent 2-3 hours each day practicing belly dance and organizing a bd event. I went for a run two times a week. I was in amazing shape and it showed: I could easily run 8k and my dance skills improved. I spent the rest of the day crying my heart out huddled underneath a blanket, wondering what I done wrong.
After seven months of unemployment, I found my current job at the university. I also ended the limbo that I was in with my ex-boyfriend, and the possibility of getting back together. I was feeling strong again. Running was pushed to the back of my mind as I commuted two hours a day and tried to fit into what was my first 'real' academic job. Feeling locked up again was devestating but I knew that I had to get through it. Since we have a huge building, I walked to coworkers in different parts of the building when I had a question. It worked. I continued to run on Sunday mornings.
I did not run because I wanted to find my boundaries, or improve my time. I run because feeling the seasons on my skin makes me happy. Watching the leaves fall, or the blossoms bloom, or the lazy summer heat burning the sweat of my forehead. It keeps me connected with the world around me and makes me feel alive.
I decided to set myself a challenge: participate in a running event in 2012: a 5k event in The Hague. Yesterday I participated on the 2013 edition but this time for 10k and as a part of our business team. Since being around crowds and loud music is not something that I naturally enjoy, these are huge challenges for me. I set these challenges because learning to cope with these situations makes me more flexible. Last year I was overwhelmed, this year I felt more at ease. Having a business area helps: a place to keep your stuff, change clothes, have tea, chat and relax, stretch. the weather was against us: app. 2 degrees cecius (Cold!) and a prediction of snow. I started off with three layers of shirts and glvoes. After about 3 km the gloves had to come off (Warm!). I found a coworker who had about the same pace and we ran the whole 10k together. I finished the 10k with a time of 1.06.08 and a feeling of accomplishment.
Back to 2010. Ikaiya was already running, and I got my ass over to Run2Day for a analysis of my running technique and a fine pair of matching shoes. I started running on Sunday afternoons, along the Rhine canal close to my neighborhood. The waves, the wind, the boats passing and people walking their dog entertained me. I ran without ipod, just me and the wind in my ears.
After making my frst couple of runs in cotton shirts I quickly decided that running gear was probably much more comfortable. I was right, and running became easier. When I was unemployed for seven weeks during the summer of 2010 I ran three times a week, app 5-8k. I even started timing my runs but quickly discovered that it took away from the reason why I run: to relax and not overthink things. The stopwatch ended up in the back of a drawer.
Then I got unemployed again at the start of 2011 and my boyfriend, who I'd been with for 10 years, moved out. It was a difficult time, getting used to being alone, not having a job to identify myself with. Instead I spent 2-3 hours each day practicing belly dance and organizing a bd event. I went for a run two times a week. I was in amazing shape and it showed: I could easily run 8k and my dance skills improved. I spent the rest of the day crying my heart out huddled underneath a blanket, wondering what I done wrong.
After seven months of unemployment, I found my current job at the university. I also ended the limbo that I was in with my ex-boyfriend, and the possibility of getting back together. I was feeling strong again. Running was pushed to the back of my mind as I commuted two hours a day and tried to fit into what was my first 'real' academic job. Feeling locked up again was devestating but I knew that I had to get through it. Since we have a huge building, I walked to coworkers in different parts of the building when I had a question. It worked. I continued to run on Sunday mornings.
I did not run because I wanted to find my boundaries, or improve my time. I run because feeling the seasons on my skin makes me happy. Watching the leaves fall, or the blossoms bloom, or the lazy summer heat burning the sweat of my forehead. It keeps me connected with the world around me and makes me feel alive.
I decided to set myself a challenge: participate in a running event in 2012: a 5k event in The Hague. Yesterday I participated on the 2013 edition but this time for 10k and as a part of our business team. Since being around crowds and loud music is not something that I naturally enjoy, these are huge challenges for me. I set these challenges because learning to cope with these situations makes me more flexible. Last year I was overwhelmed, this year I felt more at ease. Having a business area helps: a place to keep your stuff, change clothes, have tea, chat and relax, stretch. the weather was against us: app. 2 degrees cecius (Cold!) and a prediction of snow. I started off with three layers of shirts and glvoes. After about 3 km the gloves had to come off (Warm!). I found a coworker who had about the same pace and we ran the whole 10k together. I finished the 10k with a time of 1.06.08 and a feeling of accomplishment.
