Over the years of running in my neighborhood on the same routes during the same hours day after day I have gotten to see the same people over and over again. I have started referring to us as the Fraternity of the Regular Regulars. We see each other so often that I feel like I know them, or at least know what I think they must be like. I wonder if they feel the same and what they think of what I must be? Several of the runners are much much faster than I am. Today I met one of the faster members at a corner, we waved at each other and he took off ahead of me. Later we met again as he was stopped for a rest. I chided him “No Stopping!” as I slowly crawled by him. I always get the feeling he wants to stop and chat, but that’s against the golden unwritten rule of the fraternity “Thou shall never stop running for socializing.” Later I ran into another favorite, a woman who I often meet in the canyon. We also met at a corner (theme?) she ahead of me. When she saw me on the thin trail, she turned around and went back to a place where she could more easily move aside for me. Usually it is me getting out of the way for other runners, so I was glad to see her facilitate our run. Courteous or not, she is a favorite member for other reasons…

Ok this is going to sound like a “no duh” statement, but I notice a significant increase in the amount I sweat in the summer. It seems weird to me cause even though this morning was very cool, I still end my run drenched in sweat. I am not sure if it is a humidity thing or what. Perhaps it is much warmer and I am just more used to that warmth so in comparison the runs seem cooler. Related, I notice that I lose weight much quicker during this time of year. Even if I am putting good miles in during the winter, I don’t seem to lose weight, but gain it instead. Like I said, no duh.