Run, run, run, run, run

Today was the first day all week that I was able to run outside without rain pouring or misting all over me as I plodded along my path.  I was worried all week that I would slip for the shear fact everything in the entire state of Indiana seems to be soaked to a saturation that doesn’t seem it will ever dry up, like a sponge that is sitting on top of an ocean. But today I waited patiently (something I guess you have to do when you crave running outside) and the clouds finally parted and some sun came through around dinner time, so I dashed out my front door, my headphone cord trailing behind me because I was so afraid the moment of joyous weather would vanish before I got a few miles in.  There is a permanent wetness outside, so even if the temperature is colder than it should be this time of the year, it feels oppressive because of the humidity, and this makes for a slower run for me.  I’m definitely a cooler temperature runner. But despite adjusting to the weather, I could feel it was going to be a good run only a short way into my usual route. It was the kind of run when my body seems divided in half – my top half completely relaxed breathing in the fresh non-rainy air, feeling my hair bouncing up and down, watching everyone drive home from work and enjoying my music playlist; my bottom half moving quickly in a good rhythm along a well known trail, in and out of cul-de-sacs and side streets and eventually on to the main road.  I love looking down and watching my legs pump and my sneakers grip the pavement, only to realize I’m so at peace while I’m running that I am actually watching myself run.  And yes, I do look down at my legs, and yes, I do sometimes close my eyes…I’m lucky to be alive according to some I’ve told, I’ll certainly avoid this in any upcoming races I enter.  Running seems to be finally stretching out my “swimming muscles” in my lower legs that I haven’t used as much as I used to when I was a half a life younger and near constantly submerged in chlorine, and I can feel them getting stronger these days…which is another way of saying I’ve been a bit sore.  But what’s so different for a to-the-bones-swimmer, who is now running, is the idea that it’s a half-body exercise.  Yes, of course there are some upper body aspects (breathing, arm movements, keeping your core steady), but it’s nothing in comparison to the butterfly stroke at top speed.  I enjoy running more than I ever thought I would for it’s simplicity in execution (my neighbors frequently see my front door open, me plunge out of it pulling the door shut hard, and then jetting forward as fast as I can, never looking back…I return 30 minutes later drenched in sweat, and then I’m done) and the way it makes me feel, especially because I am outside and because after that first pep-talk-worthy 5 minutes that suck, it really does feel amazing to be running.  I don’t run far, and my 3 miles is absolutely a warm up for serious runners, but it’s always 3 miles more than if I didn’t run, and after days and days of doing it, I’m wearing down my January sneakers – of that I am very proud.  I don’t have any immediate goal or race to train for (next 5K isn’t until September), but I hope I can continue to find inspiration in running because clearly it keeps me healthy and happy, and it’s a gift to find something that can do that and is so simple to embrace.