Arms Amuck

I may not be a speedy runner, but I think that, on the whole, I am at least an efficient one. Not that I've ever had the opportunity to observe my own stride or anything, but I do pay attention to it, and feel that, in general, I've got it right: torso upright, upper body relaxed, feet forward, arms pumping gently back and forth beside me. My shoes keep my tendency to slightly overpronate in check. In short, I hope I don't look like a nut out there.

Because let me tell you, some people seriously do. A lot are stoop-shouldered, some are pigeon-toed, and others lurch in an ungainly fashion or lean drastically to one side. But above all this, I have noticed that the oddest things people do while running seem to involve their arms.

I run at my university track, and get to see an awful lot of this. Most of them are regulars. There is wonky-arm guy, whose left arm is in perfect glide, while his right swings wildly back and forth across his body. I swear, it encroaches on the adjacent lane. There is forgetful guy, whose arms just hang limp and useless by his side, wobbling around a little, as if he doesn't realize they're there. And then my personal favourite - he's either a cheerleader or a musician, because as he runs his arms beat up and down in front of him as if he were trying to play the drums or shake some pom poms with wild abandon. On second thought, tje gesture also kind of looks like when kids pound on the table because they're hungry or want attention or something - temper tantrum fists.

So yeah, I'll admit it, most of these people are passing me. But - I think I look a lot prettier :)

Speaking of arms and all, mine are killing me - in the good way: finally got to some weight lifting again today. Hoping to make this a regular thing, but so far "regular" equals once a week. Still trying to step it up a little - but it's something. Ran 6k yesterday and felt great, even though my boyfriend must have lapped me about six million times. *Sigh* - he does motivate me, but he's just too damn fast...!