I Run This Town

I Run This Town Random thoughts that run through my head while running.

03/29/2025

Title: ‘All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.’
~
As You Like It

According to Shakespeare, we all play different parts in our lives, and I think this is the part of my life where I am supposed to pick up all of the items that winter snow was hiding. Some of my recent finds include: a bright pink new-ish right hand ski glove, a pair of black with white speckled kids gloves (they were rolled up into each other), a black and navy hooded sweatshirt, a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, a mesh bag containing 6 lacrosse balls, 2 pencils, a knee pad, a new left-handed work glove, and a white left-foot Birkenstock sandal. I must admit I am a bit surprised at all of the one-off's I find along the way + the nice sweatshirts. I giggled when I found the Birkenstock thinking that if I found the right foot match Anna would love 'em. Hoping I can continue finding these treasures, yet most of the snow has departed so finding such stuff may become distant memories. A 5K today on the middle school track + up and down the bleachers 10X. Shorts, sweatshirt and my pink hat on this lovely 51 degree day.

03/18/2025

Title: Look At This Stuff, Isn't It Neat? Wouldn't You Think My Collection's Complete?

Since last fall, I've started picking up stuff I find along my daily runs. I never looked around much as I was running, as I was either trying not to trip or looking out for cars ~ especially minivans driven by women (they don't stop for runners). But on a run last fall I found a lovely pair of gloves on the top of 5 mile hill and since then, I've started paying attention to wayward stuff on the ground and started picking it up. I have quite a collection so far, including:
a pair of fuzzy Columbia gloves, a whistle, a NYE party favor, a v**e, 2 expensive left-hand mittens that I wish had the matching pair, a gardening glove, a black thick glove with a Velcro wrist, a driving glove, a pair of black knit gloves with silver sparkles, one Carhart leather glove, a Harry Potter scarf, a wool glove that has cut-off fingers that you can cover up with a pullover Velcro mitten, adult sunglasses, kids sunglasses, a white fuzzy scarf, a black zip-front hoodie, a gray zip-front hoodie, a gray pull over sweatshirt, 2 pair of headphones, a charger, 7 mini bottles of booze, and a pink and green striped hat. I bet once all the snow melts on 5 mile hill I will find a ton of treasures. I almost feel guilty but then again, no one claims these and most of them are one-offs of gloves so I guess I am doing the universe a favor and picking 'em up. Yet I can't help but feel like the little mermaid, when she is looking at all of the treasures she has collected from the sea and sings;

Maybe he's right
Maybe there is something the matter with me
I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad
Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?
Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you'd think
Sure, she's got everything
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty!
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more

Three miles today without Puppy, up the back dune to the cemetery, past Mary A White school, through Duncan Woods and back up the dune to home. Overdressed because it was 56 degrees and no wind for a change. A lovely March. Lucky me.

12/04/2024

Title: I Didn't Deserve The Bird

I had to go to the UPS Store this morning so I took Sheldon to Franklin. After crossing Washington, there was a woman in a lime jacket and black running pants running in the middle of my lane. I understand that some people don't like to run on the sidewalks as they might be a little slippery, but it's 36 degrees out and it's in town and most of the sidewalks are perfectly fine. Anyway, as I was ready to turn down Columbus, she did as well ~ continuing to be in the middle of the lane. And by middle of the lane I mean I could not get around her. At all. She did not move over to the side of the road nor did she attempt to make room for me. There were no cars on the side of the road and she had PLENTY of room to move aside. So I honked at her. Imagine my surprise when she stopped and threw me the bird. Like, majorly threw it at me and kept it there for a bit. I. Did. Not. Deserve. This. I mean, running etiquette means you make room for cars. I don't know if she is a new runner or is just an annoying person or if she is just stupid. And of all the years of running I have never thrown the bird at anyone. It's a bad look. Regardless, if anyone sees this runner out today, don't honk at her.

11/30/2024

Title: Dinosaur House on Elliott

It's been a bit since Puppy and I ran down Elliott Street and we were so excited to see our Christmas Dinosaur house again this year. As we turned the corner from 1st Street, we knew it would only be a few blocks until we came upon the cute yellow house and our favorite dinosaur. Imagine our surprise and sadness when we saw a "sold" sign on the realtor sign out front. First of all, we didn't even know it was for sale, and secondly it must have sold in like a day. Regardless, our very favorite Christmas dinosaur will not be out this year. And as we ran past the house I couldn't help but remember all of the years we ran past in the freezing cold and snow and blowing snow just to see our dinosaur. At times we would stop and straighten him up and sometimes we would pick his lollipop out of the snow and prop it back up and every time we would wave and smile and say "hi favorite dinosaur!". And it made me a little melancholy. Things change. People move. But this cute little thing, every Christmastime, always made me and Puppy smile. About 3 miles through town but it was cold and blowy and snowy so I'll give us 3.5. It's time to find our next dinosaur.

02/23/2024

Title: Bike Tracks, Shorts, and A Snowboarder

A bright blue, sunny, 50'ish day in West Michigan had me leaving the house in shorts today for my run. I decided to run up the dune at my dead end street to path that leads to water-tower hill. A few wet leaves on the dune, a few branches that had fallen along the way, but zero snow. Running up water tower hill was like a spring day, a little slippery from the wetness, but nothing else. I also noticed a bike track going up the hill and kind of smirked at the weirdness of a pedal bike being out in February. Turning the corner at the half-way mark I noticed the back ski slope was open and it surprised me, as I have not seen it open all year. At the top I met a snowboarder, who had a safety vest on and seemed startled to see me. He did the usual 'snowboarder nod' and then took off down the hill. As I continued on through the sandy path along the ridge, I couldn't help but think of the absurdity of me being in shorts, running into a snowboarder, while following a fat-tire track through the path. And it's February. In Michigan. Anyway, a sweaty, hilly, sandy, lovely run up water tower hill, to Mulligan's Hollow, to Highland Park, through the cemetery, through Duncan Woods then home. It must have been a good workout because my legs are tired and a little sore. About 4 miles but I'll give myself 5.5 because I was in shorts and I ran into a snowboarder. Life is funny.

02/12/2024

Title: Kaleidescope? Or Tie-Dye?

Puppy and I left home today early afternoon because it was sunny and the sky was blue and there was no wind. I wanted to see the Big Lake so off we went up the dune behind my house, through city streets to water tower hill. A tiring run up the hill and down the sketchy, sandy path to the overlook on Lake Street. From standing on the seat benches on the overlook, the lake was all swirly with colors, from dark blue to light blue, to mint-y green to purple-ish. And the colors mixed in together randomly, not like the usual 'light by the beach, dark as you get further out' kind of way. I was trying to figure out if the colors looked more like a kaleidoscope, the way they changed constantly with the wind and the waves, or like tie-dye, by the way they just randomly weaved in/out with each other in a circular way? It was one of those unusual days where the Big Lake decided to do whatever it wanted with color, like an impressionist painter. So pretty. The wind was brisk by the lake, but then again, it always is, and if you step away from it it disappears and is calm. A super sunny, bright, bluebird sky kind of day. Puppy was so happy to be out in it. Overdressed with 2 layers on top, pants, ankle socks, my pink hat, gloves and my lovely Asics. About 3 miles but I'll give myself 4 because I ran hills and I stopped to admire the kaleidoscope lake and then had to start again. Lucky me.

01/26/2024

Title: Hey Lake Michigan, You Are Beautiful

I'm pretty sure most people do not go to Lake Michigan in the winter. But I wish they would. As Puppy and I came around the corner on Lake Drive, I literally gasped at the beauty of Lake Michigan. It didn't even look real. It was warm-ish today at 38 so there was fog not far past the end of the pier. A fog that made you not even realize the vastness of the Big Lake. And since we have actually had some weather lately, there was build-up of icebergs on the shore. So, the lakeshore went something like this ~ hard sand, a small line of water, melting icebergs from the shore to a kind of ways out (maybe half way up the pier) then open water again, then some more icebergs after the open water, then fog. It looked like something from outer space. Like something not real. I kind of image if aliens saw this, they would think our world was uninhabited, I mean, who could live and survive on a wasteland like this? I tried to keep running as Puppy was pulling me, but I did stop along the lookout at the end of Lake Street and just, looked around. The beach is so quiet in winter. It's not that it's because there are no people, it's because the icebergs make it quiet. There are no waves. It's like being on the moon, where you are the only person around. If you get a chance, come see it. And park your car and walk around. It's magical. About 4.5 miles through town. Warm today and I was overdressed in running pants, 2 layers on top, gloves, my pink hat and my lovely Asics. Puppy was so happy to be out in it.

11/27/2023

Title: IANS

It's the time of year when runners and running groups talk about 'streaking', which means you should have a running streak of 1.5 miles a day from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's like, a goal/tradition/way to keep the holiday eating binges somewhat in control. I am here to tell you, I have never achieved this feat. Not even close. Here's the thing, my Anna comes home from college typically on Wednesday and she never gives me a time and I want to make sure I am home, so I end up not running that day. Then when she gets here, we catch up and watch some funny TikToks and stay up late. Then Thanksgiving Day we do the Turkey Trot which is more like a Turkey-Walk-with-the-dogs, then go visit my parents then go to a movie. No time to run. The next day is filled with stuff and by the time I think about running it's dark and Anna wants to watch another movie. Then Saturday there's stuff to do around the house and maybe some yard work and then Sunday it's usually s**tty weather. And I talk myself out of running. So, I'm proposing another 'Streak'. How about an 'I-am-not-running-or-even-thinking-about-running-until-after-the-chaos-of-the-holidays' kind of streak. We can call it IANS, or I Am Not Streaking. That's a goal I can achieve. Day 5 of no runs and I have zero guilt.

11/19/2023

Title: Time. Change.

This whole time change thing doesn't bother me at all. In fact, it makes perfect sense to me. If you think about it, things should change in the fall. I mean, everything else does. Kids go back to school. Leaves change color and fall. Summer laziness changes to fall routine. With the seasons, comes change. So when it starts getting dark earlier, I'm all in. Maybe I have to run earlier in the day, like at noon. Or maybe I learn to be comfortable running in the dark. Whatever. Fall is a season of change, and I'm ready to waddle upstairs to my bedroom way way wayyyy earlier than usual to read or work or listen to music or watch YouTube videos of serial killers or TV evangelist scandals. It's a good reminder to slow down after the chaos of summer. So if you see me out running at weird hours in the day, or late at night, just know that I'm embracing the season of change. Today Puppy and I took a much needed run to the Big Lake and along the shoreline. Easy miles on this beautiful Sunday morning. Shorts, 2 layers on top, tall socks and my lovely Asics. No pink hat. About 3 miles.

11/15/2023

Title: Something In The Orange

Everything looks orange to me right now. At least those were my thoughts as I left for my run late afternoon today. Leaving home, I ran up the dune behind my house and followed the trail to the path to water tower hill. And everything looked orange. It hit me when I got to the top of the hill and looked at the setting sun. It was a brilliant orange. And so was the sky around it. And so were the clouds around the sun. And so were the pumpkins still on peoples' porches. And as I ran through the trail, I realized the leaves also looked orange ~ not the brown that everyone wants you to see ~ but orange. And all the leaves on the trees looked orange. And even as I came to the secret spot where I can jump up on an overlook over the Big Lake, I noticed that the setting sun made the cars in the parking lot at City Beach look orange. And so did the stripes that designate the parking spots, those lines looked orange. It's an orange world today. Like an Ooompa Loompa. Orange. Look around and prove me wrong. Anyway, a fast and strong and steady run from home, up the dune, to water tower hill, through the trail, to over-looking the Big Lake, down Lake Street and winding my way through town. No Puppy today because Theo is here as Jonathan is deer hunting. And we all know I can't take one dog running or the other dog will completely lose their s**t. It was a 'Something In The Orange' type of run. Warm today for November at 50-something degrees. Sunny and no wind. Shorts, tall socks, 2 layers on top, my lovely Asics and no pick hat. Something In The Orange Tells Me We're Not Done. Such a lucky day to run through the trails. About 3 miles.

11/07/2023

Title: Run Distance = Number of Reese's

After Halloween, us runners start measuring our run distances in the number of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups we can eat. No need for a Garmin, we simply get home, get out of our running clothes, and start popping Reese's in our mouth. A typical conversation with a fellow runner can go like this:
Runner Friend: "How far was your run today?"
Me: "About 4 Reese's".
Runner Friend: "Ah, nice. I ran a 6 Reese's day because the weather was so nice".
Me: "Yeah, it was nice for November. I'm thinking tomorrow may be a 5-6 Reese's day."
And this banter goes on for a few weeks, until all of the left-over Halloween candy is gone. An early afternoon run with Puppy through town, from home to Woodlawn to Lake Street to check out the road construction, to 2nd Street to Jackson, then wound our way through town. Sunny, warm-ish at 48 degrees, shorts, 2 layers on top, tall socks and my lovely Asics. About 4 Reese's but I gave myself 6 because Puppy chased after a squirrel and I almost fell. Felt good to be outside during daylight hours for a run.

10/26/2023

Title: Hot Child In The City + 215 Sixth

It actually felt humid today when Puppy and I left for a run late afternoon. I knew I was overdressed right away and although Puppy was excited to run she had her tongue out dripping only a mile into our run. Our usual route through town, down Sheldon to Woodlawn to Lake Street up an extra block to First Street because of construction then wound our way ziz-zaggy back home. If you get a chance, checkout 215 Sixth Street as their front porch is AMAZING with just the perfect amount of Halloween + fall decorations. I loved it and had to slow down to make sure Puppy could see it. A hot child in the city kind of run today, overdressed in a long sleeve tee, shorts and my lovely Asics. About 3 miles, 67 degrees and very colorful.

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