Perfect start to the weekend: a 23KM/14.3M run at 6:30 in the morning, on the Yaffo to Tel Aviv boardwalk, and back.
I definitely got an early start on everyone, look at that empty parking lot.
I know some people get it and some people think I’m crazy, but to me an early run, especially a long run, is the best way to start the day.
I’ve learnt to love long runs.
It’s not that I didn’t like them before, I was just afraid of them. I guess it makes sense to be afraid of a long run when you first start.
Look at these cuties I found on my way to the port’s parking lot:
Once again, I didn’t take my phone with me on my run. I wanted to take pictures, but didn’t have a proper pocket for it. No big pockets on the tights I wore, and I tried to take it on my long sleeve top but it was jumping around so I put it back in my car.
I have great tight (no jumping around) mesh pockets on my tight shorts, so as soon as the weather is nicer I’ll be able to run with them and carry my phone.
I’m 2 weeks away from the Tel Aviv Half Marathon, and since I did a fast finish long run last weekend, the plan was to do an easy run this time.
However.
Somewhere on the 12KM/7M a guy passed me, and started running right in front of me.
I don’t mind at all when someone passes me, not on regular runs and not on races. I do my thing, I have my plan, I have my paces.
But, this guy, wherever he came from (hadn’t seen him anywhere around me before), passed me and just stuck there. I let him be and figured he’d gain some distance on me soon enough, but he didn’t. So after a few minutes I went ahead and passed him again, I can’t run with someone so close to me, when the whole boardwalk is empty.
And then it was on. What ensued was about 5 KM/3M of me not letting him pass me, and him not letting me pass him. Way too funny. OK it was very annoying then, but it’s really funny now.
Eventually I just turned around and ran in the other direction, and not because I couldn’t keep the pace but just because I wanted to do my thing.
I still had 7KM/4.3M to finish my run and I actually kept it up for the remainder of the run.
Thanks stranger, for a half marathon distance PR on my Garmin:
My workout/splits. I was forced to run faster. It wasn’t me.
I went home straight after the run to shower, since I had to be at my son’s kindergarten at 9:15 for a family activity, and after that to my daughter’s daycare for another family activity.
I got home at 8:45, took a shower, got dressed/makeup, ate a snack really quickly and left.
I met my husband and son at the kindergarten (they left a bit earlier than me) and first thing my husband asked me, right in front of all the other parents, is if I hadn’t had time to take a shower. I guess I looked that good.
Any running related funny things people told you that you care to share?
Do you compete with the people running around you?
2 Cups 'N Run 
Looks like a beautiful run!
The boardwalk has certainly become my favorite place to run, there’s a big park too at some point, and even a small airport (I love planes).
I love a good early long run, too. Makes me feel like anything is possible the rest of the day. Oddly, it energizes me! That is hilarious about the stranger, but that is one fast half marathon! On my long run earlier this month, a woman in the middle of a SIX LANE intersection yelled, “There are some ladies up there, you better catch up to them!” I had to ask her five times to repeat it because, she was in the middle of a busy intersection, what?!
LOL about that lady! Maybe they thought they were your friends?
I also feel mentally energized after a good (long or short) run, like I can do anything, love that feeling. Physically it changes from tons of energy to just thrown down and bit, maybe it depends on how much of an effort I made, or how well I slept the night before, etc.
Looks like a beautiful morning for your run! I can relate to your saying that you used to be afraid of long runs – they are a little intimidating. I have felt the same. Even though I know my body can handle it, it’s funny (and a little irritating) how my mind can still hold me back a little! Good luck with your half-marathon!
Yes, it still happens to me that I wake up and think “how exactly am I going to pull off 25K today…”. But then overall, I know I got it covered. Not like the feeling of those first few long runs where you don’t even know if you’ll be able to finish, or on what kind of (hurting) legs.
That is too funny about the impromptu race between you and the other runner! I’ve definitely been there before–not the jerk challenging you to a duel of course, but the one in your shoes!
It is really funny. We must have looked like weirdos to the few people around us. Now I’m kind of wishing I would have picked up the pace more and left him behind, but then that would have been so childish…. š
Well you know what you gotta do if he tries to pull that on you some other day cuz then it’ll be on for real!
I hate that feeling of being raced when I’m just trying to do my thing too. I’m glad you turned around š
Exactly. As much as I enjoy a challenge, I have a plan to follow (not that I did…), need to run MY run.
Okay, so the guy pacing you just sounds creepy! Great job on the pace though š
I know, right?!?! I thought he was creepy too. š
During my second 5K, I kept hearing footsteps behind me and I kept trying to outpace them. Eventually, she caught up to me and said, “Finally! You were my goal.” I try not to be too competitive but I didn’t let her pull too far away!
That’s a good one! I guess it would make me somewhat proud to be someone’s goal.. not that I’d let her accomplish it if I could. š
Awesome run — and good job getting it in on a day when you’re so tightly scheduled!
That’s what good about early morning runs, no excuses of other things you need to do / places you need to be (except in bed).
Nice running! I try not to get too competitive on a training run, but sometimes there are people you just have to get past.
A couple of weeks ago at Parkrun, I found myself in the middle of a whole family – mum, dad, kids and even a dog. I know it sounds mean, but the dad’s constant words of encouragement to his kids did my head in so much that I almost PB-ed to get away from them! š
LOL!!! Oh yeah, my patience level completely drops on a race. I would have run away from them too.
Good post again… but I have a totally unrelated comment. How did you get your logo done? I’ve been thinking of getting a logo made up.
It was a very simple process.. I will email you if that’s OK?
As much as I try not to it’s my Achilles heel. It can be running or cycling or swimming, in fact any competitive activity. If someone overtakes me well then it’s game on!! I really do try and fight the urge not to, but struggle. It’s a funny story and I can imagine doing the exact same thing.
Yep, guess that’s how that guy felt too. š Actually I can understand it, although I think at some point you either pick at the pace more and “win”, or you decide to let the other person pass you. Running right by a stranger for 5KM straight on an empty boardwalk is just weird. Yeah I’m 50% guilty of it, I know.
I will not let anyone pass me especially on my route! I own it!
LOL!! I would SO pass you!
In that case i convience myself that i run a longer distance… (So again i win)
That’s exactly what I was thinking when ‘racing’ this guy: “he’s not only not passing me, but I bet he’s not running 23KM either”
Classic!
I compete all the time and it is a side of me that I don’t like, so I mainly run where there are no other people around. Push down that urge. Try to be a better person.
I try to concentrate on my pace and kind of look down and wait for the other person to pass me already.
First off, I’m like you, I LOVE running first thing in the morning, especially if it’s a long run! I get it! I am very competitive (athletic wise) so I really find it hard to NOT compete with another runner who is passing me/trying to pass me…I don’t know, i just can’t help it. It’s like that competitive edge in me takes over! Haha!
I know exactly what you mean, but I’m good at controlling it because I don’t want to ruin my run or my paces just to pass some random person. However, a bit of a provocation is all it takes for me to lose my rational thinking.
That’s good! My husband is my running partner so he usually gets me in line so-to-speak when I try to push too hard! š
Lol about the shower! Awesome work on your run. I know that feeling of someone passing and not continuing on. I hate that as much as coming up on someone and then they don’t let you pass. Although I am sure a younger me did the same thing.
That happened to me during my last race, a guy just wouldn’t let me pass him, took me a few minutes to do it. Of course I wasn’t going to give up.