Even typing that title gives me anxiety. Never in a million years would I have thought I could EVER describe myself as a runner. It is hard. It is exhausting. And it makes me feel so, so strong.
Usually I run about three times a week. I am up to running a little over two miles without stopping, but my goal is three; this is because I'll be running a 5K in two weeks. It's only my second time to run the 5K - the first time was two years ago, and I cried running across the finish line. I literally could not believe I had done it. I just never saw myself as a "runner" because runners are thin, athletic, and their jeans always fit. They don't drink beer or crave Andy's frozen custard on a daily basis.
Yesterday Miles and I went to the MKT together. He sucked on a frozen piece of honeydew melon for most of the run while also babbling at the trees and birds and other trail goers. I ran two miles without stop, and the last half mile was a killer. Pushing an extra twenty-some pounds really takes it out of your energy level!
When I run in my neighborhood, I have a mile course I've plotted out for myself that I run at least twice. There are some slight hills that I feel lend a sense of reality of what the 5K course will be like. I usually run around 7:15 in the evening, after helping get Miles ready for bed. I throw on my jogging bra, lace up my pink Nikes, and head out the door, turning right out the driveway.
I only walk for thirty seconds or so before getting started. There are very distinct smells at every section of my course - downwind of Sonic it smells like a carnival, greasy fried food and dust. Later on there's a spot that usually smells like spray paint, and about six houses down from ours the air smells like Ramen noodles every single time. My favorite smells are when someone is cutting their lawn, and when I wipe the sweat off my face around mile one, my hands smell like Johnson & Johnson lavendar baby lotion. This make me think of Miles and always brings a smile to my face.
But what I love best about running is that it's not for anyone else but me. Unlike everything else in my life, no one else depends on my success. It feels strange to be committed to this new addiction of mine. And really good to do something both healthy and completely selfish.
Hello, fellow runner! When you held my hand as we crossed the finish line to the 5K in July, it meant the world to me. Not sure I've told you that. But I think about your hand in mine when I am running solo and want nothing more than to stop, and it gives me strength. And I keep running. Love you, bfff.
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