5 Mile Run (Above Average)

SANTA MONICA -- The strong legs are starting to come back a bit...didn't feel any leg weakness the entire course.

Better yet, turned what was an average run into an above average at the downhill by kicking it up a bit and quite frankly dashing down the last two miles. Very strong. And fulfilling. Literally the moment the thought "This is an average run" popped into my head, the whole thing sped up.

Saw an old man who could barely walk taking his dog out by the golf course. His dog, one of those really done up ones, lanky, elegant and with a more expensive hygiene regiment than myself was almost walking him. She/he patiently took a step or two every second or so, waiting for the old crumbly to catch up. The man was with it, though. He even said, "Hello there." Love that.

The one thought that occurred after this run was how I'm still in this stage where wearing a sweaty shirt is important. I tend to pick colors that will show off the sheer deluge of perspiration by mile three showing all what a stud I am. It's funny that that stage comes back, because when you do 10 miles or more, all that stuff is ridiculous. You really stop caring what anyone thinks -- eat isht jackball, I'm running 18 miles here -- gimme a wicking shirt pronto, the uglier the better. And when you pass a sweaty hero you just think -- that's a nice fiver you put it, now do it three more times and meet me and your wife at the bar. (That's not the case. I'd be by myself. Gaines might come too.)

Easy, breezy. Beautiful. Cover Girl.

5 Mile Run (Above Average)

SANTA MONICA -- There's something unique about the runs you have when you first get back into it after a long hiatus. I've been off realistically since the battle of Las Vegas ended in December, with only a few runs here and there...probably nothing over 4 miles.

I've had my best 5K ever in that span, but I wasn't in great shape and I don't really care about 5Ks. It's a nice little jog, but there's something about the sheer distance and time that 10+ miles takes. Even 5.3 or whatever this route is. If you've run for the better part of an hour, you've run. And the day is different because of it and likely the next day, too.

Anyway, the point is I'm back in the saddle, joined the gym in the building and everything. But running that 5 mile route is hilarious...because

A) I haven't run that version of the loop in dammmm near a year.
B) I'm not in any kind of condition that I used to be when I was running these streets.

So it's like you're waddling around the old neighborhood or something, remembering it being so easy. But now it's hard. The nice thing is, it makes it fresh again. You learn the little things again, you duck the weeds here, you duck the shrubs there, you see the golfers at Brentwood CC again, you see the mansions again, you remember the bad lights and the timing for the good ones, you see the runners on San Vincente again. It's new, but known. And you're in no shape to be there.

But that makes completing the old loop sweet again. And it makes you appreciate how much solid work you put in before even if you didn't achieve your dream goal in either marathon you were training for.