Tales of a lonely runner

It’s been more than two years since I last had a running partner; it’s been a hard two years. Er, wait, let me rephrase that, it’s been a hard year. (One of the aforementioned years, I was preggers and a new mom, and wasn’t running much.)

When Big Ring and I decided to make our family three, I knew there would be changes. I knew it wouldn’t be as easy for me to drive 45 minutes to run with my favourites, if even possible at all anymore. And I knew it would be difficult, but I thought eventually I’d find a new group of running gals to keep me company, keep my long runs not feeling so long, keep me motivated, competitive, excited to run.

But, to date, there has been no one.

140405solorunner
These are the woes of a lonely runner…

And it’s not for lack of trying – this sign went up both in my building and at the market down the quay, both of which I know has a large running community. And the one in my building had all but two of the contact strips removed. Did I get a call?  an email? No.

140405sign
A friend suggested maybe the resident pot smokers were using the papers for rollies 😉

Now. Let me tell you. Running by yourself isn’t a bad thing, in fact, I think sometimes it’s a great thing. But having a running partner, or a group of partners, is so beneficial… if you’re not feeling a run, but you’ve got someone waiting, you’re not gonna bail; if you’re running a tempo pace, and your partner is kicking ass, hell yeah, you’re gonna kick some ass too, even if only to save face; and if you’re running for hours through miserable rain, or hallucinogenic heat, a good partner can make those hours feel as though they are but mere minutes.

And, if you had a run like I did on Friday, well, a running partner is crucial.

Remember last week when I said I was directionally challenged? Yeah, more like directionally disabled. I headed up to UBC with a route that would take me about 90 minutes to complete. The area is a fairly familiar running ground for me, but the routes planned are ever changing, which is one of the things I love about running out there (and the fact that Big Ring and I can do tag team meetups with Little Ring). Just as I was about to leave, Big Ring reminded me – twice! – that I’d be turning on East Mall not Westbrook Mall. Okay. Okay.

I turned onto Crown. I turned onto 16th. I crossed over at the roundabout. I turned onto Thunderbird. I had my eyes peeled for Westbrook Mall, but instead came to a fork in the road. Oh frig.

Lost. 

140405route
I really should glue directions to my eyes!

Seems Big Ring’s reminder didn’t register. Oops. Luckily, I was able to figure out the mix-up fairly easily and get back on my way. But, if I’d had a running partner, I likely wouldn’t have got lost… in fact, when I was running with my favourites, I don’t think we ever got lost. Sigh.

But wait, that’s not all. I also neglected to charge Garmin. At 30 minutes into the run, I got my first ‘low battery’ alert. Two more subsequent alerts sounded before it finally crapped out at 70 minutes in. Now, if I’d had a running partner, I would have had accurate details of the run, and wouldn’t have had to pull out the iPhone (again) and get my Run Keeper app up and going for the final leg. Sigh.

140405lowbattery
Where’s a charge when you need one?

Enough with the sighing! Let’s get me a running partner(s) already. If you know of anyone who might match or even semi match my pace in the New Westminster area, please send them my way!

FRIDAY’S RUN:

  • 11:30 a.m. BG before: 10.2
  • Temp. basal – 50 per cent (3 hours)
  • Carbs: none
  • Time: 90 minutes
  • Distance: 15 km
  • Average pace: 5:48 min/km
  • Average cadence: 87 spm
  • Fuel: @60 minutes BG: 6.9 1 fig newton
  • 1:30 p.m. BG after: 7.4
  • Temp. basal: +50 per cent (1 hour)

 

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