I think that would be how Mr. Rogers would type out one of the lines from his opening number. Mr. Rogers brings back good memories for me of a simpler time. A time before I was forced at socio-educational gunpoint to begin my journey into responsible adulthood. Before I'd have to wake up early to go to kindergarten and learn my ABCs, followed by elementary school where I was forced to memorize multiplication tables (surprisingly my teachers were right...they DID come in handy), on to the downright awful three years of middle school that I have mostly blocked from my memory (I have yet to meet anyone who enjoyed being in 7th grade), followed by my first introduction to writing multi-page essays and reading non-fiction books with the objective of actually retaining their contents in prep school before becoming a legal adult at 18.
But yes, as a pre-schooler watching my daily does of Mr. Rogers, followed closely by 3-2-1 Contact, Mr. Wizard and Square One, I was always happy to see Mr. Rogers' house. It was totally awesome, what with the fish tank and working stop light (I pined for a working stop light in my own room for years...OK, honestly I still do) and easy access to the Land of Make Believe. And it was always sunny and warm but not so hot that Mr. Rogers couldn't wear one of those cardigans. I always tried to guess which color he'd choose today, based on the colors he'd worn the days before (an analyst from the beginning, sadly).
But this morning, and each morning this week has been what I imagine 6:00 AM in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood must be like every single day: 60 degrees, low humidity, slight breeze, no clouds, quiet and fresh. I tried to get to bed earlier last night and was partly successful. Instead of getting to sleep at 11:30 or later (disastrous for my running prospects the next morning), I was fast asleep at 11:00. I slept so deeply that I woke up thinking it was Saturday...literally. I was really sad to realize that it was in fact, just Friday and I had to go to work. When you're watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, the only reason the day of the week matters is because he only comes on during the week and not on the weekend. Weekends would be, of course, for morning (but not too early!) cartoons. Obvi.
Anyway, I got out the door relatively on time after hitting snooze once and got my 2 miles in in great fashion. I don't know if it's a placebo effect or whether my body truly does remember what it's like to run, but each run I feel better and can run for longer. After this week, I'm going to tack on another mile to my run and gradually step up over the next month to really concentrate on building a base. My long runs will start this weekend at a very not-long 4-5 miles, but you have to restart somewhere and 10 miles or more is not in the cards yet.
This weekend is the last full weekend before Annie comes back from Arkansas, where she's been singing since late May, so I need to make the most of it. Tomorrow I'll do another 2 miler with my slowly evolving core workout afterward. Sunday I'm going to drive up to the Northern Central Rail Trail for a change of scenery to do 5 miles. Weather should continue to be mostly Mr. Rogers, although some humidity will return. Can't be perfect all the time, right?
Now, I need to return to my mountain of work and play Make Believe that I'm actually interested in doing it rather than going home and watching Mr. Rogers...which I would totally do if I could. Maybe he'll wear green today...although I have no prior history on which to base my call.
No comments:
Post a Comment