They knew that it was psychologically easier
to run a familiar course than a new one, so contrary
to the advice in the magazines and jogger manuals,
they seldom went exploring for changes of scenery.

— john l. parker, once a runner

—

A confession: I deviated from the Smoocha Mucha Lucha Lasso course today.

I was drawn in by the siren song of the longer course. It’s an out and back 3 miles, which seemed easier than dodging the sprinklers, a hazard of the morning ritual on the Lasso course.

But of course it wasn’t easier at all. I had to think.

The best part of running is the total switching off of the brain. Launching into autopilot and allowing the legs to go have fun while the mind ponders the implications of why we allowed the Strait of Hormuz to become an international disaster and why the Brady kids didn’t have a toilet in their bathroom.

The little loop is clockwise, meaning there are no intersections and no traffic hazards. It’s exactly like running on a track, if running on a track was in the opposite direction and the track was 0.39 miles per loop and made of concrete and the lane markers were just one yellow stripe down the middle and there was a puddle on the back stretch where the steeplechase hazard would otherwise be and there were no hurdles piled haphazardly in lane 8 and the track featured dogs who enjoyed jumping in front of you so that their leashes become a hilarious tripping device.

Lesson learned.

Today was the first truly easy day in the Ian and Carmen Ultraplan. It is a brilliant concept, although I wonder if when they were naming the system, they realized it would create the acronym ICU. Cue foreboding music.

I think I love the zone 1 day. It was just a snooze, other than being off course and an unexpected visit from Mr. Sun making things a little warmer than expected. But I can see how working hard to take it easy will make the back-to-back-to-backety-back more effective. If by “more effective” you mean “hoping for a quick death to get out of this.”

Another run in the bank, another popsicle in the belly. How did I ever doubt the post-run banana popsicle on a hot day? Gumbo is wise. Plus, it’s psychologically easier to eat a familiar popsicle than a new one. Never doubt Cassidy.

It’s only been a few days, but I can see this plan working. Same concept every week, same scenery every day, same little frozen bite of heaven waiting at every finish line.

I could be in the ICU for a long, long time.