I did NOT want to run this morning. I am still fighting this stupid sinus crud so I can't hardly breathe and my head is POUNDING!! But I knew that if I didn't just go then I'd stay in my pj's all day, clean the house, maybe take a nap but I would most certainly NOT be running at all and I knew I'd wish that I had. So I bundled up warm and headed out the door.
I kept it nice and easy, didn't push it... I just ran. I had two cough drops to help with my scratchy and dry throat. I brought Fiona along {see equipment tab} for some mellow tunage. My mind wandered and I thought a lot about why I love runs like this one turned out to be. I hope you like Forrest Gump cause I've got a PLETHORA of quotes for ya!
Those must be comfortable shoes. I bet you could walk all day in shoes like that and not feel a thing. I wish I had shoes like that.
Having good shoes is HUGE! I loved my Nike trail runners that I recently retired. They had great traction, they fit my feet perfectly. They were awesome... and cute too! And so far I am loving my Asics. They are super light and breathable. The shoe laces up differently than I've ever seen on a shoe; they follow the ridge from your big to up to the inside ankle rather than right up the middle. Interesting.
Mama always said there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes. Where they're going, where they've been.
And what they're involved in! I have to admit that I wish I was able to buy more shoes. Girly high heels, boots, cowboy boots and all sorts of tennies, flats, and casuals. But alas I must forgo the extravagance. For now I am dreaming of a little warmer weather so I can wear my chacos again.
Now, you wouldn't believe it if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running.
I have ALWAYS loved running. From when I was a little kid. And I was FAST! I was that girl that could beat all the boys {not every time but I was ALWAYS in the front of the pack}. I loved field day because I got to do all those races and skunk everybody!! In high school my race was the 800m and the 1600m. I know that some people really don't enjoy running but... I sure do!
Now, it used to be I ran to get where I was going. I never thought it would take me anywhere.
I didn't always run when I was going places, most often I rode my bike. It is true that it will take you not somewhere physically but figuratively too. Running has helped me through tough times, it's fabulous therapy. Running has helped me achieve physical goals and improved my self confidence. Running has changed me and will continue to do so.
That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I'd just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I'd just run across the great state of Alabama. And that's what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I'd gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going.
Now I am not ever going to go on a running spree like Forrest did. But I am starting to log some pretty long runs. They are tough. But there is a lot of pride when that run is finished. It's a great feeling to accomplish something like that. Maybe I will run across the county, that seems like a lofty but eventually an accessible goal!
So I really didn't want to go on that run. But it felt great to just go out, take it easy, and it ended up being the most enjoyable run I've had for awhile. And that's ALWAYS a great thing!
But the view was stunning!
