Even though I have been running for a few years now, there are still times that I feel like a complete newbie.  I know plenty of people have faster times, some people run more miles on a daily basis, so many people have run a full marathon and I am not sure that I ever want to run one.   Usually I am ok with all of these things but sometimes all those feelings and insecurities come rushing back.

After Sunday’s fail of a run, I headed out Monday with the a goal of 4 easy miles.  To that end, I headed to the nice, flat lake path to take it easy.  My left leg has been a little sore off and on so I was thinking of the following splits- 13 for the warm up mile, 10-10:15 for 2-4, with a .6 mile cool down walk.   I am still walking the bridge through the playground area due to construction and little children so this seemed not only doable but easy.  That was the plan.

About 1/4 into my warmup, I stopped to get a rock out of my shoe.   This was when I first encountered Turbo.  A guy dressed all in black comes running my way moving pretty fast.  No big deal, I’m warming up, nothing to feel embarrassed about right?  I hit the half mile mark at about 7.5 minutes and break into a jog, then around .75 of a mile here comes Turbo again.   Still warming up, still ok, but I did pick up the pace a bit.  I was just finishing the first lap (around 1.2 miles) and nearing the bridge area when WTH?! Here comes Turbo again!  Adding insult to injury, he was now bouncing a tennis ball on the ground and catching it, all while running.  Come on!   Now it was matter of pride, I mean he essentially lapped me 3 times!   No walk break just keep running.   He passed me again during lap 2 and twice in lap 3.  I had to take a short walk break, which of course happened right as he was passing, still bouncing his ball. Starting lap 4, I noticed that he had moved on to do pull ups and chin ups- which I think he did the entire time it took me to complete that last lap.  I’m not sure what made feel more self-conscious; the fact that he was so damn fast or that he had no idea I was being an insecure creeper.  😦

Since Monday turned out faster than planned, I took a rest day Tuesday.  I headed back to the lake on Wednesday for another easy 4.  This time it was woman I ended up racing pacing.  You know that e-card about a treadmill racing? 

Yeah, it was like that.  We seemed to be evenly paced, so we passed each other at the same 2 places on each lap.  If we had been running the same direction around the lake, that might have been creepier actually, breathing down each others neck.   Then when I was walk/ jogging my cool down, guess who was coming my way?  Turbo, again all in black.    I made it back to my car and was putting all my gear away when he ran by again, bouncing his trusty ball.   I swear if it wasn’t a huge privacy issue and slightly stalker-y I would have tried to get a pic of him and his ball.

What about you guys?

Ever run into or by someone that made you feel like a total newbie?

Please tell me I am not the only lurker person who checks out other people’s running habits?

What are you up to this weekend?