Am I really a runner?
I am running.
Almost every day.
Averaging 3.5 -4 miles.
Yesterday’s run felt amazing. The first mile was tough. It always is. Like I’m treading water and my legs are heavy and I think of the elephants at the zoo and hope that is not what I look like because that is how I feel. After one mile, I stretch and then it happens. I feel like a machine. And I run. And I feel no pain. And my breath is easy and feet are light. I may still look like an elephant, but I don’t feel like it.
My easiest mile is mile 3. I get my rhythm. I feel the rush. Yesterday, I loved it so much that I cried. I was so happy that I could run. That I was strong. That the world is green and alive. That I’m alive. I breathed a prayer of thanks.
Today: a different story. I’m told that’s how it is with running. Ups and downs. I still made it 3.5 miles and every step was hard. Every. Single. One. Hard. Heavy. Steps.
Maybe I over-thought it.
Maybe I had pushed too hard yesterday.
Maybe I have no idea what I’m doing.
But still . . .
I ran.
I’m not a sprinter. I’m slow. Very. Slow.
But I can go the distance.
And today I saw how my running mirrors my life.
I’m not a sprinter.
But I can take it slow and steady.
And I get there.
And I’m not afraid of things that are hard. (Particularly if it is self-inflicted: getting a degree at age 37, homeschooling my children, natural childbirth, writing, and now running.)
I love to run.
I thought I’d never say that.
I love to run.
There I’ve said it again.
What do you for a challenge? What do you do that is hard?
You’re 37?
It’s all about the love. If you love it, you push through. Even when it’s hard.
Okay, not officially 37 until December. Don’t rub in it that I am OLDER than you, okay?
I agree. It is all about the love. I love the way I feel when I’m done running. I love the way I feel when I’ve written an amazing sentence after pages of drivel. I love seeing my kids lying around with their noses in books and knowing that I taught them not only to read, but to love it. Maybe I should write another blog post, this is getting long. Lol.
I wish I could run like that. You make me want to. Miss you, friend. You are so awesome and I just LOVE the way you write!
What an inspiration you are to me. . .even after 15+ years or however many years it has been. Thanks!
You must’ve got inside my head and pulled out all my feelings! I loved this post and I’m so glad that you are learning to love to run. I’m re-learning and in the not so fun stage–I haven’t run in a year and this hurts–but my baby boy is so cute it’s worth it! I wanted to tell you about an awesome contest I entered at
The Original Scrapbox
Check it out and please vote for me, #319 for the cutest craft giveaway. Thanks a bunch!
I love that you love to run, because even if I could run, I wouldn’t love it! I would rather dance, or do aerobics, or something a little less monotonous than running. Right now, just walking is a challenge to me, so maybe I should start with that. Maybe I should walk up my street everyday, and eventually it wouldn’t be such a challenge…
Hmm…a blog post in your comments! How’s that?! Love you. Keep running, Forrest!
I want to be a runner. I’m still (and always have been, I think) in the hard stage. How long did it take you to come to love it? How do you build up? I am so slow that I don’t get much distance in 1/2 an hour. I need you to counsel me.
Hey,
Me too now. Is it Kristi’s influence? I’ve been reading a book by Stu Mittleman and it has totally changed the way I see running.
I’m not at loving it stage, but I like the movement a lot. I love the way my body feels after I’ve done 3 to 3.5 miles.
I’ve actually run 3 miles 5 times in the last two weeks. I have never ever ever (ever) done that before.
I love the effect this activity is having on my softness.
Sorry for the long comment. I’m glad you’re running. I think there’s something fundamental to it that each person can eventually touch. Keep up the running and writing.