Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I've Got The Trots...

The dragonflies are out again in force and I've been passing them by rather swiftly without my camera. You see, I'm running again, and the idea of walking around with a camera in my hand trying to track down an alighted dragonfly is... well... just not what I'm doing at the moment....

When I was in my mid-thirties, and during a particularly lazy period (I can't recall why, but I am sure it was female related), I awoke in the middle of one night sweaty and frightened (well, not TOO frightened, mind you, I mean I didn't scream or nuthin') having just dreamt about being out in the middle of a soccer field and unable to run.

I had completely forgotten how.

Seriously, in the dream, I was frozen in a weird liquid resistance that made it impossible to run. I couldn't make my limbs work properly. There was a disconnect between my brain and my limbs. It was like the time between the last time I had run and the dream had grown too long, the memory too faded...

I watched my Mum try to "pretend" to run in the pool, while she walked laps back and forth. She too, had forgotten how.

"When you run, Momma, your knee leads your foot. You're trying to walk goofy is all..."

"This is so weird!" she said, as she struggled to remember.

I found this video that demonstrated the "technique" of running and showed it to her.

"He's running because not only is he naked, but someone took his skin and ran off with his penis."

Anyhow, after that weird runless dream, I went out into a field the next day, a bit shaken by the dream, and ran.

I was still able to run, thank goodness, but I wasn't as able as I had been before, so I started back up playing soccer three nights a week after work, and boy howdy did I do some running then!

Last year, while I was shooting pictures of dragonflies, I wasn't able to run. Too much weight added on to older legs meant that my knees were not going to last very long if I tried. So I walked instead. I did a lot of walking. Then I walked and rode a bicycle. After shedding almost 30 pounds, I was able to muster up an old man's jog, running carefully to keep my knees from exploding all over the neighborhood.

My legs got stronger and the joint around the knee strengthened, and now I'm aggravating the hell out of my dogs because I run through the woods and around the lake on their walks, not giving them time to "sniff and pee" on everything the way dogs do. It feels really good- to be able to run. Running and leaping over logs and roots that stick out and dodging blackberry vines that try and grab you as you fly on by...



I don't really run for distance but for time. About an hour and ten minutes of running everyday, varying speed, going uphill and down, on the flats, on the soft grass where I sprint because it is soft on my knees...

Just running.

Don't forget.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish I could swivel on the run like he does. I'd end up on my ear if I did that.

Jeannie said...

I envy your determination. I doubt I'll ever start running as it's not something that ever appealed to me except as part of a sport (like soccer) but it would be good to walk regularly. Easier said than getting off my ass...

Cheesy said...

Take a lap for me okay? Please be careful not to lose your penis..

Schmoopie said...

I stick to walking. I am afraid that if I run, I might knock myself out with my tits ;)

Shrinky said...

Sheesh, cudos my friend! A couple of decades ago and more, I used to run the towpath after work alongside the Thames, in Putney - all the way to Hammersmith and back. I doubt I could make the run from what was my flat then, to reach that towpath now. Sigh..

Anonymous said...
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secret agent woman said...

I ran very breifly in college and discoveed I realy hated running. Swiming laps I can do, andI'll walk forever. But good for you for getting back out there.

kario said...

You really are an inspiration! Sorry I've been AWOL.