Prague Night Races

Ay, winter is here. If not, it sure feels like it.

Last night, I went out to Old Town square with Namesake to see the annual Prague Night races. The temperature was 47F. I wore a sweater and a jacket, and casual sneakers for the first time since April. I felt under-dressed. Namesake wore even less. We shivered as we watched runners cross the finish line for the 5k women's race.


Two thoughts occurred to me:

One, The winner came in at under 15 minutes. Other runners quickly followed. Earlier that morning I had gone for my first outdoor run. Correction: my first outdoor “walk”. These women were sprinting. What I am still doing is a slowww motion jog.

Second, It's only September and in the 40s, and I'm fully clothed and cold. What is it going to feel like in January in the single digits or below and wearing less?

Why these two thoughts? Yours truly is “training” to run the half-marathon in March 2009.


Namesake offered a consolation re the first point: Don't worry, you're not trying to break any world records. Sure, but at my current rate I will probably need all three hours to finish.

On the second, she pretty much thought I was insane.

Over brunch at Savoy this afternoon, my friend Ci shook her head and with her delicious Argentinian accent summed it all up: “I don't know why you want to do this thing when you could be inside, in the pub drinking.”

(Bartender-Runners for the Hilton Bartenders' Race)