Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Do you ever just run to run?

I was massively ill on Sunday and haven't been like that for a long time, so getting back to running has taken it's time.  Tonight, I ventured out.  I wanted to enjoy the sunset, Christmas lights in the neighborhood, and to really work on my form.  I planned on a slow, easy run, about 30 minutes.  But I hit the watch, covered it up, and ran.  Felt awesome.  Through streets, on sidewalks, by a park, and a couple schools.  Just me and streets.  I love the feeling it gives me.  To just run.  At any time, I can put on my shoes and go.  I don't need all the gadgets, just roads.  It's freeing and exciting.  You get to experience the world through different eyes.  You see the kids playing hockey when it's 40 degrees out.  The random little ones playing with their Santa lawn ornaments.  The cats in the windows staring and me and judging me no less.  The few strangers who smile when you pass as they walk their dogs.  The "stop and stares" from male drivers (which are few and far between).  And all the while, it's just me and road.  My mind gets to wander, to pray, to get away from what life has waiting for me when I return.  I have found nothing yet like running.  You can make it a challenge or an adventure or a fun run.  Anyway you want it, it's yours. 

Somehow at the end, I am relieved, rejuvenated, and ready to conquer anything.  It's like, "okay, the run is over.  Now I can do X, Y, and Z."

At a time when the world is all a buzz and everything is go, go, go, I took 45 minutes to JUST RUN.  As Robert Frost once wrote, "And that has made all the difference."

Run On!