Run Tom, Run

I went running right after work again yesterday at about 5:30. Its a rather toasty time of day to run 5, but I was having some guys over to play poker later, so it was my only time to get my run in for the day. As I was getting out of my car and walking up to the sidewalk I saw an older gentlemen that I've seen out a few times before. This man looks to be in his 70s, possibly late 60s at best. He ran by and after getting my mp3 going, I took off as well. I assumed that I would quickly pass him, but as I started to approach him I realized that this chap was keeping a pretty healthy pace. It was about 95 out and I was keeping what was probably just under a 8 min/mile pace and it was clear that he had already logged a few miles. My prediction is that he has been running for decades, as most people don't start their running careers that late in life. He had a normal stride with his left leg, however he had a brace on his right knee and a bit a shuffle with his right leg. He wasn't able to pick it up, so think about trying to run 8 minute miles with a sprained ankle and this is what I was watching. His skin was leathered, most likely from one too many long runs under the brutal Texas sun, and from a distance you would have guessed that he was running 10 min miles at best. I passed him, but he then noticed that he was staying with me. I'm a healthy guy in my late 20s and have been running for a few years, and this pace in the heat was killing me, yet this man seemed unphased by it! How is this possible? Every time I noticed him starting to close on me, I picked up my pace again. This was our exchange for the rest of the 2.4 mile lap - me struggling to stay ahead and him closing every time I slacked my pace just a tad. Towards the end of my first lap he effortlessly sailed passed me to finish up his lap. All of that and he still passed me with ease at the end of the lap! I probably could have gotten much more out of that run if I simply would have slowed up a bit and ran with him. Much more could have been learned by talking to him about his years of running then by my pushing ahead on my own, struggling to stay in the lead - only to be passed in the end.

I'm beginning to feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day lately. I went non-stop today, but feel like I have so much more to get done. Arrival time at the office was 7 today (quite a bit earlier then usual, but 2 days in a row now) - of course I did make the Starbucks stop beforehand. I was at the office until six and then went straight to the out the door for my evening run. I was going to wait until about 8, but it was cloudy out and not too hot, so I decided to venture out a bit early. That proved to be a mistake. I went to the Bear Trail to run 3 laps and about halfway through the first lap the sun came back out. OUCH. The heat got to me quickly and abused my body for the rest of the run. I pushed through (probably motivated by Ben & Harris' friendly gestures of encouragement) and finish out the 7 miles, but then quickly downed a bottle of water, a large bottle of gatorade, and then yet another bottle of water. The problem with long runs is that they take up too much time. 2 hours of my night was gonzo due to this run.

After a shower and dinner I headed out to Common Grounds to "quickly check" my work e-mail, continue my GMAT studying, and try to finish Traveling Mercies which I have put to the side for the last week. The "quick check" ended up resulting in me doing about 2 hours of work. Maybe I should have just not checked the e-mail. Its a tragic addiction. Now I've lost my motivation to study. I realized (after receiving 3 e-mails about it today) that I haven't posted since last week, so thought I would see what I could come up with. I think I shall try to read for a bit - I need to spend some time NOT thinking about work today!

Sleep is a waste of time because there just aren't enough hours in the day! I would be a happy man if I could get by on 3 hours!