Running group wannabe

April got the bright idea for us to tag along with a running group over at Riverfront Park yesterday after work. The running group meets weekly and is coordinated by Strictly Running. We decided it would be a good idea, what with us determined to stay actively involved in our community and what not.

I’ve run at Riverfront Park before. We’ll call it “Doofus Move at Riverfront Park #1.” It was back in March or so (before daylight savings time), and I had worked a little late, so I didn’t get to the park until around 5:45 pm. When I parked my car, there were plenty of people around the main area, so I felt safe within the general pack of the crowd. I ran about 2 miles down the stretch beside the river, but by the time I reversed and ran back (45 minutes later), it was dark outside and the once populated “after work” crowd of runners and walkers had dispersed and gone home. It was pretty scary stuff.

Doofus Move at Riverfront Park #2 was yesterday, running with that darn running group, God love ‘em. The coordinator gave a few announcements and asked if there were any newcomers. We raised our hands, introduced ourselves … and Apes told them that we were here to train for the Mud Run. Little did they know, we were really here to absorb their magic running power. Of course, maybe they did know that. I mean, after all, that’s what a running group is for, right? Motivation. Inspiration. Side stitches, the whole shebang.

We were given the option of running an “easy 4 or 6 miles.” It only takes a few scrolls down this blog to notice that April and I ran a five miler about 6 weeks ago. Of course, that took every thing we had to finish that race, but we did it and we’re alive to tell the story. This time, we chose to do 4 miles. But it certainly wasn’t easy.

Everyone began running, and after about ½ a mile, April and I shuffled into the back of the pack while the real runners quickly become a distant vision in front of us. We ran about 1.5 miles, and then walked. And then we cursed ourselves for letting overall life (work, vacations) get in the way of our physical fitness. We ran another mile, turned around and then walked. We talked about how out of shape we were (those darn side stitches!). We ran a tad bit more, and then we talked about how to get that defined, toned, runner’s body we had been dreaming about.

Here’s a thought! Maybe the easiest way to getting a runner’s body is to date a runner and have your way with them.

Anyway, we finished up the 4 miles, stretched, and drank our body’s weight in water. My legs felt like jell-o, but looked awesome. I think April and I are naïve enough to try this torture again next week.