Day 1: Of Purchased Shoes and a Bruised Ego

Jane Austin began Pride and Prejudice with the observation that "it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Likewise, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a taken man in possession of only Birkenstocks and Ferragamos must be in want of running shoes. Yesterday, and with this truth in mind, I set off to acquire a pair. After a visit to Bryn Mawr Running Company and an hour of my time I left in possession of a pair of Brooks Adrenaline 10th Edition sneakers, and without a somewhat substantial chunk of change in my wallet. But really, what was I going to use that money for anyway? More books?

Today, the stage was set for my first planned run in years (because sprinting across campus in a pair of sandals to catch the shuttle may count as many things, but planned is likely not among them.) I was excited. I was really excited. I was suddenly winded less than half a mile from my starting point! I was struggling to make it to the CVS. I was slowing down. I was in need of a breather. I was at the CVS. Needless to say, my pride was ever so slightly wounded by this shameful display of physical ineptitude.

When I got home these were my immediate reflections

June 22: Ran to the CVS in Rosemont. Had to stop after that because I was out of shape. I am really out of shape. Temperature was 90 degrees, humidity was somewhere between 95 and 100 percent, I could see the haze outside and a thunderstorm began 15 minutes after I got home.

Now I remember why people run in the morning and in the evening instead of at other times during the day. My reasons for hating the 3PM to 515PM soccer practices I suffered through in high school also came back with a vengeance. Nothing takes the stamina out of you faster than humidity on a hot day. Needless to say I will not be making that mistake again. From now on, all of my running is going to happen in the morning or evening or both. Probably not both.