Blaine's Running Journal

I’ve read about it, I’ve seen it, and I’ve even experienced it while driving a car. A very scary experience. One that I’m proud to say will never happen to me again. As soon as I feel the sleep coming on, I pullover as soon as it’s safe and take a quick 5 minute nap. Even if it means I’ll miss an important appointment or loose my job. After all, life it too precious to take crazy chances like that.

So how does this reflect on my running?   

Well, who ever thought it could happen? But, last week in the wee hours of the morning, before my second run I woke up a 2am. I tried and tried, but I just couldn’t get back to sleep. Of course when I finally started to drift off into never-never land after trying everything, it was already 5am!

Thirty minutes later… I crawl out of bed, put on my running gear, and, like a zombie, head out the door. After all, when I begin my 40 min run around the lake, I should be able to pick right-up and start enjoying my day, right?

Well… not exactly so. My body was still mad at me for staying up all night and just after the 10 minute mark I realize how nice it was to close one eyelid.

So relaxing… and that’s how you should run, right? Well, five minutes later I was on a straight-away, so my body was distracting my brain as it ever-so-quietly slid my second eyelid close.

Just a couple of minutes of rest…
no one’s gong to know…   rest…
have a peaceful rest….

WHAM!

I hit a puddle and sprang my eyes straight open! And good thing too…
For I was running out of room and nearing the curve.

Whew… so I made my turn and … restful… peaceful… quiet… relaxing…
Whoa there! Wake up and follow the trail!

Now, I’m not saying that running with your eyes is a bad thing (sort of). It was very relaxing. There are no cars or bikes on my path around the lake and very few people. So it was pretty safe. But, the last thing I’d want to do is step in some doggie doo-doo or fall over the side and end up in the water.

Hmmm… I’ll have to think some more about this whole falling asleep thingy… But at least I did my two laps around the lake – even if it was a little longer than 40 minutes.

I wonder if any one else falls asleep doing the same thing, or am I just weird!?!