When I first started running I was extremely obsessive about the distance. Not in possession of a Garmin, I would meticulously drive around the running route and record the length. If a three mile run was scheduled, I was sure to exceed the measured distance by a few hundred yards so there would be no question that three miles were covered. Over the years, I have recovered from this obsessive compulsive behavior (at least in regards to running!) and realized that the running is just for me, no one else, and if the resulting run is deficient from the planned run, the world will still continue its revolutions.
Another hard hurdle to clear was concerning walking during runs, or walk breaks. The old OCD me would never think of stopping my rhythmic pace and walking a few steps. If a walk recess was absolutely imperative, I used to walk back over covered terrain, restarting the run only when I was sure my forward progress consisted only of “running.” Then came Montreal.
On a business trip to Montreal for the week, I organized what accidentally turned into a large group run. One friend told a friend who told another friend, and unbelievably “6:00 PM, in the lobby” transformed into a large contingent of runners, who insisted that I lead the way. The hotel was in a congested area of the city, and the run must have looked comical to the locals, as a long line of middle aged American guys trotted through crowded sidewalks and busy intersections. This was a unique adventure for me in such a mammoth city and I was surprised to find that the necessary waiting and then walking through the lighted
intersections actually allowed for a
