Lockout

No, not this lockout:

I’m talking about the fact that I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT!

I spent the Summer learning to perfect running routes for 2, 3 and 4 mile runs. My easy runs. The ones where I can zone out and be on auto-pilot because I know exactly where I am at all times despite not owning a Garmin. Every single one of my routes began at this gate:

Up those stairs and out into the world of long roads and no cars parked along the sidewalk. Well, not anymore. That gate now looks like this:

Try not to be too jealous of my artistic skills.

Some JERKFACE blocked my running path. This is so frustrating because now all of my runs have to be readjusted and include a whole lot of back-tracking (which annoys me). My 2-mile route is now 3-miles, my 4-mile route is now 4.69 miles and my 3-mile route is now 2.9 miles. This may seem really picky and not be a huge deal to most people but I’m sure other runners understand how this just mentally messes me up.

On Tuesday morning, I woke up at 5:30 to 47* weather. I wore long sleeves and gloves, knowing my run would be pretty short and might not give me enough time to ever really warm up. I’m glad I did, because my legs were ice cubes when I got back and if I hadn’t worn gloves I bet my fingers would have frozen right off. I ended up running 3.06 miles in 32:36 (10:39 pace). I was definitely a little “off” and 50% sleeping/50% freezing, but I’m proud I managed to climb out of my double-comforter, cozy warm bed for a little exercise before work.

Have you ever lost a favorite running route or had it altered beyond recognition? (I might be an over-exaggerator at times…)

And for fun – when do you think it’s appropriate to start blasting Christmas music? I think that as soon as the parking lots in all our strip malls put up the Christmas decorations on the light poles then I’m good to go… so yesterday.