Lovin' Livin' Healthy

         Monday is Chad’s day off, so I always schedule a run on a new path (or less trod) for myself.  New scenery makes such a difference.

            I was in a running rut.  I’m training for my first half marathon, and I was getting kind of bored with it.  Well, Monday’s run reignited the fire.  Really, it started on Saturday when I ran with my friend.  I ran 8.75 miles and my energy was high.  I was so proud of myself. 

            The night before, I put all my running gear in the bathroom so the dogs wouldn’t see me getting dressed in the morning and freak out when I didn’t take them with me.  It’s just a routine now.  That morning, I pulled out the running map, and chose a spot that was a little unfamiliar.  I could hear it raining outside.  Ug!  No!  I DID NOT want to run on the treadmill.  The treadmill sucks unless you can watch a great tv show, but even that gets old.  I need the wind in my face, the fresh air, the arena of the world.  So much more inspiring.  I decided I would run outside, rain or shine.

            It shined!  No rain.  Baby blue skies, the light kind, not the deep blue.  Heaven.  I started running, and the legs felt heavy.  I told myself I’d run 45 minutes, and put intervals throughout.  I wasn’t really looking forward to it.  The water was pretty though. 

It’s amazing how your thoughts can change during a run.  The first 15 minutes are the worst.  You’re thinking, this is going to take forever, my legs feel tired, I have listened to this song too many times.  But, after awhile, the endorphins start to kick in, and your mind gets much brighter.  You are proud of yourself, you start thinking of how far you’ve come, and you’re inspired with ideas of wonderful things to do in your life.  You come across a funny idea, and laugh out loud.  You feel so alive and in the moment.  Everything reaches a peak. 

I think there is a misconception that runners love running all the time.  Um, no.  There are days we don’t want to go.  There are days it goes by so slow.  There are times we question why even thought we liked running.  And runs where the best part is the hot shower afterwards.  BUT, the highs are incredible. Running helps ignite emotions.  Some of my best feelings have come while running and they’re not just regular ol’ feelings, they are at a heightened state.  Numerous times I’ve felt intense feelings of accomplishment, bliss, serenity, power, hopefulness, creativity, and joy.  So, while there are many runs that are tedious, the great ones trump them all.  The great ones make my life so much better.    

Thanks to running, Jillian Michaels dvds, Game On, watching The Biggest Loser, and reading health books, and getting up early, I honestly have never felt better physically.  I sleep less and have more energy.  I don’t crave crappy food….well, rarely.  I’m motivated, excited, and enjoying my days.  Perhaps I’ve become a little obsessed with health and fitness, but I don’t think so.  It’s just a part of my day, a slice from the whole-day pie.  But, it permeates through my whole life.  I have more confidence in my ability to do whatever I set my mind to do.