Saturday 17 September 2011

What I think about when I think about running

With apologies to Murakami

Am I standing up straight? I'm going to hit that child. I've dodged that child. Look two runners also running up the High Street. Smile! They sort of smiled. He smiled. She didn't. It's always like that. I'm going to hit that child. I hit that child.

Oh wow I didn't have to stop for that car. Bonus. Nothing. Nothing.

Ooh forgot how busy it will be down here. Shoppers everywhere, off the path, on the road, sideways through the bollards. Kind of like rat race or a video game. I like the challenge and I like the change in pace. Thank you for moving out of the way. Ugh smokers. Why do so many people who look like they strive to be beautiful, smoke? Thank you for moving out of the way. Eastern Europe pack on street corner; put on race face and block out ears. Ugh smoke. Dodge child, dodge old person. Muslim preacher. Looks unapprovingly at hot pink tight sleeveless top. He also look unapprovingly at my normal clothes.

Hey I'm through Kilburn. Hmm it's a bit grey. Maidavale, where cars have right of way, suddenly there's no pedestrian lights. So when do I cross. Now because I am a runner - give way cars. Honestly must get Living Streets onto this. It's starting to rain. Hmm. My leg is really hurting, that right one. Does it turn in, or out. What's the best way to correct it. Nearly 5km, that's good. That's nearly half way. It's really raining now, should I stop. Should I end? Hmm. Bombay Bicycle Club let's pull over for the worst of it under the awning. I wonder if that Dry Cleaners will give me a plastic bag. Should I take a bus home? This leg is a mess. [three minute massage]

Okay on we go. That's where the teacher was stabbed. That's nice, well not nice, but it's selfless. Didn't that guy just get out of prison. Wasn't he on a bus recently? Yes it was in the papers.

Here we are, Little Venice, the cafe where I saw Jude Law. We tried to eat there, they didn't serve us. I bet Jude Law got table service. Why did I go on this side of the road, tree roots everywhere, narrow access and overhanging plants. Oh great sightseers who won't move over - oncoming runner on road - smile - avoid crash, ooh a charity runner, bigger smile, leap through tree root, scowl at tourists.

Paddington Basin - always get lost. Easy this way, wave to cyclists and down we go to the canal. Nice boat. Nice boat. Hmm cafe, cosy, but pretentious. Feel smug, they're not running and I am. Do you think they feel smug because they're cosy. And maybe they ran when it wasn't raining? Maybe. Another cafe. Nice boat. I remember doing sprint training on that footpath. Skateboarders - cool. One day you might be runners. Screaming girls - no that just makes the skateboarders uncool now.

Why do Eastern European men drink so much. Is it a cold weather thing? If I had these flats, I would have a garden on that balcony. Not a bike. That bike looks hard to get out. Knife amnesty box - does anyone know that box is there?! Hmm they look suspicious, oh they're fishing. Would you want to eat what is in there?

My foot hurts again. Pins and needles, that's pretty severe. I'd like a 15km play list that has songs from all the people who mean something to me. Ok let's make that list of people starting with most recent and work back. Yep, two, five. Running in light rain is quite nice. Now where was I? I should send an email to those people. They can organise my funeral too. Not now, when it comes. Yes, it better be good. I should tell them. And tell them I want power ballads. For my run, not my funeral. So who is on that list. Yes them, and them. Maybe, no. Actually. Yes.

The gate to the taxi fix it place is open. Ah cute baby coots. Or adolescents anyway. Mmm nature. I need to stop and massage this foot. Ah that's better.

Off again, gosh nearly 8km and I am running out of canal. That freakin' canal ramp is going to kill me. Walk up it, you can't walk down. So I am going to finish on the hill - Kensal Rise maybe? Why are there so many nice delis around here? Mmm banoffee pie. Remember when there was a six pack of lucozade on the bench on a hot day and you stared at it with such longing people had to stop you from drinking it?

Another deli. Cake. I'm going to have to do Kensal Rise. Head down and one foot in front of the other that's how you did Athens and even 'Ron I think I am amazing Hill' said that was hard. You peeked at looked up, head down. Down, down. See, wasn't even a hill. Oh I am going to have to keep going up Chamberlyn Road. That's a hill sort of. An incline. The Lexi - why did we eat awful chicken burgers when there. How times have changed. Like Kati eating a Hesburger!

Remember the hurricane here. Oooh Natasha Bedingfield. I just sang in front of a bus stop. "No one else can do it for you"... I love this song. Why does everyone not like it. It's nice for running "so close you can almost touch it" yes like the end of this run. OK 500 metres now - push. Push! PUSH! It's over, is that it. Cool! Air punch.

Damn I am not quite home though. Bus?

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