Last night on my way to Zumba, I was running a bit late because I had to wait quite a while for a 6 train. When I got off at Grand Central to get the 4/5 the crowd on the platform was huge; 4-6 people deep. The first train came and I knew I wasn't going to get on. I looked down towards the next car and there were just as many people trying to get on. All of a sudden I noticed a woman stepping into the car and I knew something was off. Next thing I know I see hands against her pushing her back off the car. She stepped back on. Again, she was physically pushed off. Seconds later a fight broke out; she was punching the woman who pushed her and the woman was punching and pushing back. It seemed like eternity before some guys stepped on and pulled them apart. I couldn't believe I was witnessing a fight between two grown women.
Yesterday morning I saw YouTube footage of a fight at an IHOP restaurant. A few weeks ago it was footage of high school kids beating up on a Burger King worker who was trying to stop a food fight. And how many times have we seen video, taken by teenagers and posted on YouTube of group beatings of other teens?
What is wrong with us? Why are people so pushy? Why are people so defensive and angry? So determined to get somewhere fast that they don't care about human decency. That they don't have any respect for anyone else. I admit it, sometimes I get frustrated on the subway after a long day of work when I'm being pushed around so people can stuff themselves onto the car. But that's only if I'm already on the car, because I can't stand being packed like a sardine and I'd rather wait for the next train than get pushed around. Why are so many people looking for a fight? Where did things go wrong?
We don't have hands to hit, voices to curse, and feet to kick. I'm really disturbed by how people can be so hateful. Isn't it exhausting to be mad all the time?
Maybe we all need a little more yoga and a few more early morning runs in our lives. A few deep breaths each day. I much rather spend my time laughing and making good memories.
Okay. Rant over and onto a happier topic. Today was my first speedwork session for my 10-miler training. It went pretty well, I think. I've never done speedwork on my own and definitely never on a treadmill. I came up with a plan on how to tackle it and went with it! I started with my usual 0.15mile walk to warm-up, but then did 1 mile at 6.2m/hr pace. Then I started the intervals. 4x800 was on the plan for today. Between each half mile interval I jogged for a quarter mile (or one lap on a 400m track). After the intervals were done I finished up with another 1mile cool-down run and 0.15mile walk. If you're wondering, I came up with 0.15miles for my warm-up/cool-down walk distance because it helps warm up my legs but it doesn't take up too much of the time I have in the morning. Overall, I think this workout went well. I'll push the pace a little next time (in two weeks) but I also have to add another repeat! Next Wednesday is a tempo run. Tomorrow calls for an easy 2 mile run, but I'll probably do 3 or 4 miles.
- Do you prefer to defuse or ignore a tense situation?
- Walk away or confront?
- Do you do speedwork intervals in your training?
Last night's workout -
Zumba
Today's workout -
1mile warm-up
4x800 intervals
1mile cool-down
lots of stretching
