Arived in Sydney yesterday morning after a long flight, little sleep and a slightly hyperactive 7 year old. We all went to bed early last night as we were completely exhausted. DD woke at 1.30 am and never went back to sleep again.
I headed out for a short run this morning. It's winter here, so it was 9 degrees Celcius as I headed outside at 7.15 am. The cool temperature came as a welcome change after the recent heat of a Canadian summer. We're staying in an apartment in the north of the city. As I leave the apartment hotel I pass the other residents lining up for a coffee from the hotel barista. I stand outside waiting for my antiquated Garmin to find a satellite connection for the gps. Even though I'm wearing a light long sleeved top I get goose bumps, now this is a novel sensation. My garmin's gps kicks in and I head off with only a vague idea of where I am going. We've not stayed in this hotel before, I know the general area from previous visits, but I'm not a local.
I run past the shopping mall, heading uphill. The cool temperatures feel great and I am aware that my pace is a tad faster than usual. I've not had much sleep, so I intentionally slow myself down. I don't want to spend too much energy on this run, I know I will need that energy later on in the day. People I pass in the street don't greet one another, it seems strange, they just look straight past you or put their heads down. I'm not used to that. I take a turn on the right, knowing that there is a park around here somewhere that I can run around. I'm still loving the cool air on my skin and in my lungs, it feels so very refreshing. I'm in a suburban street lined with slightly older houses and mature trees. A short downhill again picking up speed, then uphill I see the park on the left. It has lots of mature gum trees and I follow the path running around this treed park. I pass the kids playground, we will be back later as DD loves the flying fox. As I head out of the park I see a group of Chinese people doing their morning tai chi routine. Their timing is good as they practice their slow, intentional synchronized movements. It looks meditative. I follow a different street back towards the shopping mall, passing more people who again ignore me and one another.
I run past the mall, take a few turns and find myself close to the hotel, checking my garmin I realize that I've not actually been out very long, so I run a few short blocks. I stop when I see that I have run 3k. I was trying to run slow, my head still feels fuzzy from the jet lag, I didn't want to expend lots of energy and yet I managed 3k sub 20 minutes. I am contented with that. I've had a short while to myself and that feels wonderful. I've got my bearings and will be ready for the flying fox later on this morning after a shower.
I can head out another day and go for a longer run. I'm looking forward to it.
Happy running
Anyone ladies run with a skort?
Look at me!
Glorious morning for it
Switched from music to spoken word podcasts
