Kerry's Running Blog

I'd planned to do the usual 5.24 this morning, but just as I was leaving the house I noticed two boys in their late teens and dressed in dark tee shirtsjust meandering down the street towards the park. One of them was holding something to his side that looked like it might have been a can of spray paint. I'd never seen the kids before and knew they weren't from our neighborhood. I put the paper up on the porch and just slowly walked behind them. They kept turning around to see where I was. I slowed even more and picked up some garbage by the side of the road and put it in Clarke's garbage can. They were still walking very slowly and they looked like they were going to head down the trail along the creek. I started jogging west past the park, but stopped just around the corner to see what they were up to and about thirty seconds later I saw them run towards the pavilion in the park. They must have seen me at that point because they immediately stopped running and slowly walked over to the bulletin board like they were interested in something posted there. There wasn't much to read and it was almost comical how non-chalant they were trying to look when the only people out at 5:30 in the morning are obviously exercising or on their way to work. I ran north to loop around to the house and call the police dispatcher. After I gave them a description of the boys and then resumed my run. I didn't see them again after that and about a half an hour later a police officer called me on my cell phone to report that he was at the park, but didn't see the boys or any sign of vandalism. That wasn't too surprising as I was sure they were long gone and that they realized they were being watched. I suggested he might look around the elementary school for them. I looked around for them on my way back home but didn't see anything.

Felt good this morning, almost like there was something pushing me from behind. My weight continues to drop and I'm feeling stronger going up the hills. Saw a three point buck this morning on someone's lawn. He was about fifteen feet away and looked like he was ready to bolt, but didn't know which way to go. The house was along a busy street but it was starting to get light enough that he might have made it out of there OK.

Nice run this morning. Clear skies and pleasant temperatures. After I got out on the road I noticed that I was wearing an old pair of running shoes that I've been using to work in the yard. I guess that's one of the hazards of getting dressed in the dark. They weren't as comfortable as my regular shoes, but they at least had some tread left on them. Saw a family of racoons in the park this morning. It won't be long until they're coming for the corn in my garden.

Got to bed a little later last night which made it a little harder getting up this morning, especially knowing that I'd be doing a tempo run. It's such a habit now that I think I could be sound asleep and somehow I'd manage to get dressed and start running. I always tell myself that if I don't feel well after a mile that I'll just take it easy for the day. Usually, I'm awake and ready to go after the first mile. This morning it just felt good to run. Even through the uphill sections my legs felt strong. I was breathing fairly hard, but it was just nice to be out.

Routine Friday run. Felt good. May have to miss Saturday long run because we're leaving early for a family reunion in Idaho. May try to squeeze something in before we head out.