Creepy after-work run
My pool schedule went like this: 8:30-9–open pool, 9-10–teach aquafit, 10-12–teach lessons, 12-1–clean, shower, lunch, 1-3–guard public swim, 3-4:30–teach lessons. Every. Single. Day. That’s probably why I was hating it by the end of the summer. Waitressing was a little more interesting, but generally the same deal, take people’s orders, bring them their food and drinks, repeat. Both of these jobs used to leave me physically exhausted because of all the movement etc. but I’ve never had a job that has left me so mentally exhausted before.
My bosses and colleagues have been really amazing at treating me as part of the team. They’ve been giving me projects to work on and keeping me really busy and I love that, but I’m not used to having a job where you sit at a desk all day, in front of a computer. There is a little movement, but out of an eight hour day I’m in front of the computer for at least seven hours.
I guess I never really realized how flexible the “job” of being a student is. It’s NOT an easy job by any means, but it’s flexible. I had about 20 hours of class time every week and I probably did about 20-35 hours of homework every week depending on the time of the semester, but I never worked for longer than two or three hours at a time without taking a break for supper, the gym, TV watching, whatever. Now, by the time I come home, I feel so mentally drained I just want to plop myself down in front of the TV all night.
Last night I fought the urge and made myself go for a run. The office that I’m working at is right across the street from Ladies Only Fitness and it’s also right by the river. I’ve been dying to go running on the path along the river forever now, but never had a vehicle to get there before. So, after work last night I headed out for a nice, easy four-mile run along the river and then went to an hour long yoga class at the Ladies Only gym. I could really feel the tightness in my back from being at a desk all day.
The run was nice, really beautiful, but it was kind of creepy down by the river. This was at about 5:00 pm and I passed several homeless people and a few areas of the trail went pretty deeply into the trees and underneath bridges. I found myself running a lot faster through these areas and ended up doing a lot harder of a run than I’d originally planned. I really want to keep running down there because it’s gorgeous, but I wish I had a dog to take with me, I think that would make me feel a little better. Maybe I’ll get used to it? It’s not like it’s a bad area of town, and I also passed several people walking their dogs and old couples out for a stroll, but there was also lots of homeless/transient people hanging around. I think it’s because it’s a public park and now that it’s so nice out a lot of homeless people are probably sleeping down there under the bridges and stuff.
Then again, as long as I don’t go too late I should be fine. And I think people (me included) have kind of a stereotype towards homeless people because I’m pretty sure they’re harmless.
On the other hand, a woman did get attacked by a THIRTEEN year old boy a few months ago when she was running down there! It was later at night, about 8, and he attacked her and started kicking and punching her and then ran away when people who were walking stopped to help her! Weird, right?
OK, that is enough rambling for now. I will leave you with some pictures of my run last night so you can see how truly beautiful it is and why I want to continue running there!
The beach and river.
Beach, river and the path I run along!Have a good long weekend (it’s a long weekend in the States too right?!). Eric and I are going hiking again and my friend Jen is coming to visit, can’t wait to see her! What are you guy’s up to?
PS: Bravo, Grey’s producers, I did not see that coming with George! Although, I do think that the show is going to suck next year if Izzie and George are both gone. We shall see. Have you told the person you love that you love them yet today? Also, Little Grey and McSteamy are hilarious, I love their dialogue!!
PPS: The Desperate Housewives finale looks AMAZING, I can’t wait for Sunday!
PPPS: Does anyone know when Big Brother starts? That’s the only reality show I actually like!
Update: Wow! Everyone’s support on my run has been AMAZING. I just upped my fundraising goal to $2000! That was the original amount I wanted to fundraise, but I thought I was aiming too high, now I don’t think so! You can go here to learn more about it and here to sponsor me! Thank you so much everyone!
Wow, that looks gorgeous! I don’t blame you for wanting to run along there. Thank you SO much for donating to my walk! I really appreciate the support!
i didn’t see that coming with george either! that was GENIUS storyline!!! it’ll be interesting to see what comes up. That’s the kind of “shocking” ending I like to see! tonight is PRISON BREAK, though we probably won’t watch it til saturday.
I so get what you mean by creepy runs. I always thought that way about a path that’s a mile away, it’s pretty good on the weekends cuz there’s LOTS of people running and biking. But i still have that mentality. I so wish I had a dog. Boyfriend knows i want a dog to run with since he won’t run with me. I really really want a dog, but in our budget, no can do. maybe i ought to find a family that would loan me their dog on a daily basis. =)
I can definitely see why you want to run in that area – it’s gorgeous!! That’s too bad that it gives you a creepy feeling, though. I often wish I had a dog I could borrow for runs as well. I’d try doing the run a couple more times to see if your comfort level increases… Hopefully it’s safe being there around 5 pm…
It’s not a long weekend here in the states this week, but will be next week.
But I have a long weekend since I took Monday off – my graduation ceremony is on Monday! 
Oh, and I totally know what you mean about work being so exhausting. Some nights when I get done w/ work, I am so exhausted, I can’t think straight! I’m glad your internship is going well!!
I’m considering my summer job as my first “grown-up” job (although my casual job sort of falls into that category…but whatever). I love that I’m in charge of something important, and of making sure things go the way they are supposed to. I’m also digging the part where I get to boss people around…hehe.
I skipped the last part of your post because I haven’t watched the Grey’s finale yet! I’ll come back and read it in an hour or so when I’m done viewing it on the internet
I can definitely see why you would want to run in that area. Do you have mace/pepper spray? I would take that with you when you go running and, of course, your cell phone. You should be fine in that case!
I don’t watch Grey’s so I don’t know what all the commotion is about.
Our long weekend is next weekend and I can’t wait. We just have a measley two days like usual.
Enjoy the weekend =)
Grey’s was AMAZING. I got chills with the 007 thing. Didn’t expect that at all! Even my husband was amazed by the twist, and he doesn’t watch Grey’s all that much.
I sit at a desk full-time as well, and it’s definitely draining, even though I’m not actually moving around much.
That does look pretty! I think I would probably be scared to run there too, whenever I go on a trail for the first time and it goes somewhere secluded, it can be a little unnerving…but if there are other people around, I would probably feel safer.
Have a great weekend!
i am hoping that my hubs and i can pick up running this summer. that has always been a fear for me to run alone. glad you’re okay and even thinking of going back.
Ok, that was one hell of a twist with George! So so sad =(.
P.S. RYC: I watch Grey’s at watch.ctv.ca. They usually have the most recent 2 or 3 episodes up.
I have to say that walking early in the morning is one of my favorite things to do…but it is also super creepy…it is the one time that there are SUPER advantages to having a 90lb dog…he is SUPER friendly, but I don’t think anyone would want to chance it!!!
I LOVED the Grey’s finale!!! I think the rumors of them leaving the show were actually to keep things up in the air…I can see George making it through, but losing his arm or something – remember they said “what if someone told you you couldn’t be a doctor anymore, wouldn’t you try your hardest to be a doctor again?”…and I think Izzy will make it through and then try to become a mom…but I think they are going to drag on the whole “in izzy’s mind” thing with the two of them as well…I can’t wait to see what they do!!!
Woah, that run looks beautiful! I’ll be running along the Rideau Canal this week-end, and i’ll try to bring my camera and bring pictures!
I also love the LIttle Grey/McSteamy relationship, they make a great pair! Also, here’s what I think will happen: Izzy will survive and George will die. Or both will survive./ I don’t know! They’ve both got great stories to work from if they survive!!!
I get what your saying about running down by the river. I recommend carrying a whistle just in case. Sure, the homeless people are probably harmless but you can never be too safe. Sounds like you are doing good at your job! keep up the hard work!
I feel your pain on the staring at a computer all day. My internships were pretty much like that too, bent over a desk writing, researching, fact checking… Luckily, with my job now, I get to do it at home but I still get kind of tired of looking at this laptop!
as far as the creepy run goes, I would be a bit creeped out too but as someone who has met/interviewed many homeless, you are right in saying they are not all bad and usually “harmless.” it is still good to be alert though and aware of your surroundings. and based on those pictures, I would want to keep running there too!
no long weekend for me. the monday after next is Memorial Day but I don’t even think I will get that off. with my job, there really aren’t any days off. Journalism never stops it seems!
congrats on your fundraising! so cool that you were able to up the ante to $2,000. I will put a link on my blog today to try to help you out, though I think most of the people who read my blog read yours
anyway, congrats again!
No I don’t watch Big Brother, but I would guess it start in early June. That’s normally when most summer shows start. If I hear something I’ll let you know.
And I couldn’t believe that’s how they ended Grey’s. I guess it gives them the summer to decide what they want to do contract wise. but still, I was screaming at the screen.
When I interned at a PR firm, I felt the same way as you…esp. after lifeguarding and teaching lessons all summer. SO MUCH SITTING! Drove me crazy. I went to the bathroom like once an hour just to get up for a bit haaha
i’m looking forward to the desparate finale too. don’t be afraid to carry some pepper spray with you on a long run like that. it can come in quite handy when you need it.
i know how you feel about the desk job. when i first graduated and started my new job i would get tired by 3 pm because i was looking at the computer all day and actually thinking. it’s better now, but i still have to fight the urge to put my head on my desk and take a nap sometimes!
It was so hard for me to adjust to sitting in front of a computer all day, it gave me the worst headache!
My advice would be to never run there after dark… Scary! We have a place similar to where you run and it’s around a lake. It’s 2 miles almost exactly so it’s really easy to track your miles, but it’s not too safe when it gets dark.
I agree on the Grey’s ending! Wow! I can’t wait to find out what happens, wish we didn’t have to wait!!
Let me know if you hear about Big Brother, I love that show too!!!
I totally agree with you about the desk job. I went from being a cashier on my feet to a research assistant and there’s a whole lot of sitting and computer work involved in that. It is nice to get off of my feet and do something more interesting, but the computer gets dull after awhile. Once I got used to it, I started craving runs after work because it was a chance to move and get rid of all of the tension of sitting in a chair all day long.
~Amanda
That beach looks awesome – I’d love to run there!
Grey’s was great, but I’ll be really sad if both George and Izzy are gone – actually I don’t want either to leave!
And do watch out for those homeless people, they’re not always menatlly stable.
Great job on fundraising!
Great pictures, love the blog.
I get creeped out by the river too…
And you’re waiting for Big Brother?!? WHAT??!?
That looks like the perfect place for a run, and for such a great cause!
Hi Amber, thanks for the comment to my post yesterday. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to leave that comment. I hope both of us find the strength to get through this vicious cycle…hang in there and if there’s anything I can do to support you, please let me know.
WOWIE Your path looks amazing!!! We used to coming running downtown along the river and there’s a spot with tons of homeless people…but they really do look creepy, a lot of them are on something and you can see it!! Now we’re so far from downtown so I don’t think we’ll have to worry about it anymore.
Some nights i get home and my brain is fried I just have to go straight to sleep! LOL I’m at a desk most of the day and there never seems like there’s enough time in the day! I found that the running after work is relaxing though….tough to get started but well worth the effort when I’m done!
Katrina