Running through unfamiliar territory

I was supposed to get up this morning and run at 6:45, and I really should have. But the bed was calling to me and the idea of running in the dark, through streets I didn't know, did not appeal to me. Back to sleep I went.

Around 2:30 I began to feel the effects of my choice this morning. I hadn't run yesterday, and my legs were feeling stiff and life-less. I needed to get out.

I wanted to just run, find my own way as I went and return when I decided I was ready. My boyfriend had other ideas, he went on Google Maps, searched Fonthill and found a route that would bring me on a decent run, clocking in at just under 4K. He also argued that my cell phone had to be carried with me.

Out I went, uncharted territory with little more than the memory of a computer screen map in my mind to guide me. It was exhilarating. I made sure that I kept an eye out for the streets I was supposed to turn onto, but while in the middle of a hill, I took a side street to avoid the rest of the grueling climb.

The plan went downhill from there.

I had to cut the run short, sharp pains clawed at my left calf with each step I took. I knew that I had to go in a certain direction, my ending point was somewhere to my right, just a few streets away. So on I ran, in the way that I thought I had to go.

I was completely lost.

I ended up standing in front of a park, I could go in either direction but nothing looked promising. I stared down at the cell phone I unwillingly carried with me, and called my boyfriend. After much debate of where I was, he told me that I was only two streets away, five minutes from home.

This town was so different than where I normally ran, people stared... actually, they gawked at the unfamiliar female running amok through their streets. They actually stopped what they were doing, turned and watched me pass. I felt like I was running like Phoebe from friends, like a child having the time of their life. And that's how I felt, but knew that my form was a little more controlled than that.

Soon, things began to look familiar. A trail came up to my left that would lead to his house and to where I could get water. Oh yeah, failed to mention. This was my first run without carrying a drink with me. Not the best of ideas, no matter what the distance.

I found the house and the end of my adventure.

What I learned: Carrying a cell phone is not necessarily as bad a thing as I originally thought. I like to get away from technology when I run, revelling in the feeling of having my alone, quiet time; having the cell phone took kilometres and much pain out of my exploratory run.