Running OCD, “I can transform ya”

Came home from work and had the house to myself. Normally, I would make a cup of tea and then take a nap. That was the old me! Today, I’m a runner!? I wanted to get out the door at a reasonable time so that I could be home in time to welcome my two favorite guys home! (husband and 2 year old). Getting out the door was one thing, on time was another. For some reason, I am a little OCD about my running habits. Most of them have to do with comfort and not superstitions. Today…it was a little of EVERYTHING! First of all, I couldn’t find my shoes. Then once I did, I couldn’t tie them just right. After struggling with the laces, I searched around for my ear covers, my gloves and water bottle. I was like a fart in a wind storm! After I was able to wrangle in all of my running gear, I had to get it all on. Now one would think that working at a running store provides ample opportunities to purchase great gear. In my case, not so much. For some strange reason, I only have one “cold weather” outfit. It’s not even comfortable below 30′ so I really should buy some new stuff. I run in the same black Moving Comfort tights, my fave Nike long sleeve  Colorado Running Company shirt and a new Saucony jacket. It’s not fun washing your running clothes every night! So, since I have the same outfit, I’ve gotten used to the way I wear it (or at least think that I have). “Duhn duhn duhn….” ***CUE THE RUNNING OCD**** my Nike collar has to be tucked under the Saucony jacket just right, the zipper of the Nike shirt has to be in just the right spot to accomplish this. Then, I make an effort NOT to feel the collar of my jacket on my neck or chin (it drives me CRAZY when I run). Also, the shirt sleeves have to be all aligned and if I feel a seam in the wrong place, watch out! Shirt and jacket, check! Next comes the warm gear for the face and head. If I decide to wear my buff around my face to shield the cold, that goes on first…but must take caution, not be too tight and STAY AWAY FROM MY NECK! Next comes the ear cover that has to be pushed below my chin until I do my hair. It’s a crappy little headband I got from Goodwill years ago…and needs to go! It’s crap! That is another item that must not touch my neck! (OCD!) Warm weather gear for the face and neck, check! Now for the ipod shuffle. This little beast looks innocent but is not as tame as it looks. Clipping it on is the first struggle…do I put it on my pants? On my shirt? In a pocket? Do I even HAVE a pocket? Will it stay on? Can I reach the controls easily? It goes on the pants today then the ear buds are very carefully and delicately weaved under my jacket, laced through the handy headphone “loop” on my Nike shirt and then hang there for a few minutes. Now comes the really hard part…the hair. If you knew my hair, you’d understand. It’s about as close as it can get to a lion’s mane crossed with an afro. If I were to wear it in a pony tail, I’d generate enough static electricity to run our small town. If I wear it in a loose bun, it bounces everywhere and (OCD!) drives me crazy! So, the only option is to wrap it up 3-4 times and then secure it tightly with a strong hair tie. Hair under control? CHECK!! From here on, it’s easy, slide on my ear cover, loop the headphones under the cover, place one in the right ear, making sure I can hear the music good and that it’s comfortable (OCD!), bump up the buff in front of my mouth, gloves, amphipod and I’m out the door? Yes, check, out the door.

Now…if only I hadn’t of forgotten that darn body glide…

On a side note, figured out today that my pace matches great with the song “I can transform ya” by Chris Brown. Had to get my left leg to be the main “beat” (OCD!) and I guess it’s an 84 bpm song? Maybe someone can tell me how slow that is?

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