New Running Partner Helps Me To Lose Time And Weight…

If I ever do get up the nerve to run in an organized race, Modern Philosophers, I think the name I put on my bib would have to be “Raymond Babbitt”.

Once again, I displayed the powers of Rain Man, but not in a counting cards, “Hot water burn baby!”, and loving Judge Wapner kind of way.

It was overcast, but not raining when I put on my running toga, laced up my sneakers, and stepped out onto the front porch of The House on the Hill.  The second my foot hit the front walk, however, the skies opened and my good friend rain decided to join me.

As I put it later in my Facebook status, I suppose the rain just didn’t want me out on the streets running alone.  It must have realized I missed my old running partner, and decided to take her place for the time being.

Today was lucky run #13 as I entered the fourth week of my current workout program.  I am happy to report that I have been eating better and lifting weights regularly in addition to going out for runs in the rain.  I haven’t seen any results on the scale, however, so I was determined to see some weight loss today.

Maybe that’s why I pushed myself a little faster on the way out.  I noticed that I still didn’t feel like I was running with my regular stride and confident pace.  It seemed like I was shuffling, cutting my stride short, and purposely keeping it slow to make sure that I wouldn’t run out of gas somewhere along my route.

When the rain picked up, I did the same with my pace.  I reminded myself that I’d been doing this for three weeks now, and it was time to run like this wasn’t my first time out.

I could definitely feel my lungs working harder to keep up the pace, but I kept pushing myself.

After hitting the 2 mile mark and turning around to repeat the route home, I again make a decision to pick up the pace.  I always feel my legs dragging on the return trip, but today I wouldn’t allow myself to do the Zombie Shuffle.

When I finally allowed myself to downshift and give my lungs a chance to put out the fire, I had less than 1.5 miles to go.  This was my third 4 mile run of the week, and the first time I made it back to The House on the Hill without having to stop to walk for a bit.

The new strategy and the little nudge from my running partner, rain, allowed me to take 55 seconds off my best 4 mile time so far.

When I stepped on the scale after my shower, there was even more reason to celebrate.  I had lost 3 lbs this week!

I did a little dance, let out a massive sigh of relief, and felt so good about it all that I started to think about tomorrow’s run.

Nothing makes me want to run more than seeing that all my hard work is paying off.  When the scale gives me good news, confidence levels skyrocket.

Okay, I lied.  There is one thing that makes me want to run more, and that’s showing off for The Girl Who Will Always Be My Favorite Running Partner.  Seeing the way she looks at me when I’m kicking ass and being all manly is all the inspiration this Modern Philosopher needs to bring the sweat.

I guess I don’t mind if rain wants to be my current running partner.  All I ask is that it never brings its pals thunder or lightning along as well…