On my other blog, I've written a lot about my disdain for all things running. In fact, people have FOUND my blog by googling the phrase "I don't run. Like ever." I secretly love this because those are my people.
Even though I somehow managed to drag my sorry self through a triathlon almost two months ago (although, I walked most of the 5k, so don't be impressed), I'm not a good runner. Too much impact. Too much striking of pavement. Too much bouncing and jiggling. I'll happily take an hour of laps or a solid bike ride any day instead of pounding (literally) the pavement.
But, I guess that's why we're doing this. Right, Shawn? RIGHT!? We both want to be better runners. In my case, I just want to be a runner. Who cares about better. I'd love to be able to run and feel the way I do in my dreams when I'm running and it's like I'm leaping! Through air! Over rainbows! With puppies! And not like it does in reality when my lungs feel like they're being pulled out of my rib cage with a turkey baster.
Still, I think our dueling personalities are going to make this fun. Or at least entertaining for our coworkers who already are watching us with some level of curious
After all, he's optimistic. I'm cynical. He blushes. I'm brash. He's committed. By the end of this, I might have to be.
Witness this IM conversation we had this evening, after I read his blog post that talked about adding some sprints between training days.
Ashley: Explain this whole running on days off bit.
Shawn: So Jason says if you do some short distance sprinting on off days, then that helps your muscles build more speed and stamina. So you'd do like 800m dashes.
Ashley: Hahahaha. Sprinting.
Shawn: Yeah.
Ashley: Um, that's a half mile sprint.
Shawn: Well, that's what he does.
Ashley: Well, he's INSANE.
Shawn: I think maybe 100 might be enough.
Ashley: Do you know what kinds of wild animals I'll have to be chased by in order to sprint for 800 meters? Like, WILDEBEESTS. Bears. And not the cute cuddly, likes honey kind. I could continue with more animals, but I think you get my point.
Shawn: The Rabbit of Caerbannog? With its sharp pointy teeth?
Ashley: Yes. Although, that might still make me want to stop and pet it. I like bunnies.
Since I get a gold star for getting his Monty Python reference, and because I don't want him to hate me for calling his BFF Jason insane (Jason, I'm sure you're not insane. You're just a marathoner. I don't know what the American Psychiatric Association says about people who routinely run 26.2 miles.) I'm leaving you guys with this. And then, I'm going back to my beer.
