running.

i started running because it was the only time no one could bother me.  true story.  i could leave the cell phone in the house, grab my ipod, and disappear into the streets of charleston for half an hour or so.  i did it one day so i could get away, and the next day so i couldn't be bothered, and then i did it because it felt good.  and then, after much coaxing, i did my first race.  my running partner, amber, had been running for months before she roped me into it.  she told me how much fun races were and that i should try one.

july 4, 2009, was my first 5k.  i haven't looked back.  we had a race on saturday and even though my time wasn't what i wanted it to be, i can tell my endurance is increasing!  what a great feeling of accomplishment when i can run the entire race without stopping.  except for water of course.  i just can't get over the physics of swallowing while bouncing and breathing.  its still a victory as far as i'm concerned.


my motivations have changed a bit.  i love how my legs look better now that i've been running for more than a year.  i love that i have somebody else who will suffer through the miles with me; what a bonding experience, trudging through mud and snow and gravel in all weather conditions.  but days like today, when i don't have a running partner and don't particularly care how great my butt is looking these days, i still turn to running to get away.


i got absorbed into pete yorn and the crunching of the leaves for a few miles and felt so much better about life.    now that i'm not on the road and working weird hours i remember how much i loved running in the first place.  it feels so good to be back.