Running from crazy

I run. I'm not sure I consider myself a "runner," but I run. And, I'm pretty sure anyone other than the novice runner would classify the category of a jog.

Never the less, over the last couple of years, I have learned to love something that I once hated. Always, athletic I knew the joy received from a good workout and the exhilaration of accomplishing goals set for myself, but I never found any happiness in running. It was merely a conditioning exercise used to enhance my other athletic performances.

And when I decided to embark on the adventure of running a few years ago, it was exactly that. A means to an end. An endurance exercise to help me reach a goal. A distractor of sorts.

But, now. Now, it is something entirely different.

I run for many different reasons:

to stay heart healthy,

to counter the calorie consumption in my favorite pasta dishes and chocolate,

to chat with the Lord,

to chat with myself,

to let the Lord chat with me,

to listen to good music like New Edition's Candy Girl,

to dance...you lookin' kinda cute in that polka dot bikini giiiiiirl,

to get out my anger and frustration,

to mourn,

to be thankful,

to feel (because sometimes I just get in a rut and cannot feel things),

to get away from crazy,
because I am crazy!

My love-hate relationship has turned a corner. How do I know? Because...

1. I look forward to an almost daily run.
2. My morning routine involves determining exactly when I am going to fit that run into my schedule.
3. My evening routine includes updating a mileage and training schedule.
4. I've committed to running a distance longer than a 5K.
5. As much as I abhor the treadmill, I have learned to tolerate it when it's cold or rainy. Which has been a LOT lately.
6. I am now doing an extra load of laundry mid-week to accomodate my shortage of sports bras. Sad, but true.

As addressed in numero cinco above,  I have committed to running this innaugural event held in my hometown on May 1st.

I'm a sucker for sentimentality. Is that a word? It was the hometown thing that clenched the deal for me here, but the focus of the non-profit hosting the event is raising funds and awareness for children's health and fitness. There is nothing that pierces my soul more than sickly and unhealthy children. It was a winning combination from the start!

Have you ever seen this program? Oh the possibilities of teaching young girls the importance of healthy living and self respect! My heart melts every time I come across this organization. No offense to you boys out there. You're very much appreciated too, just in a different sort of way.

I stumbled across it on the web about a year ago and it has come up in no less that 2,456,789 searches that I have done since then. You think it could be a subtle hint? I'm praying about it.

After heading down several rabbit trails, I better escape this blog world and get back to reality.

Happy Runnning my friends or whatever your activity of choice is (even if that is just chasing after kids all day long),

Twilight Zone

Morning Dialogue.

G: Mom, I want to see if we can make a deal. Are you up for that this morning? Making a deal?

M: Ummm...whatdayawant?

G: Never mind. (Slowly turns and shrugs his shoulders to walk away)

M: (Overwhelmed by guilt from cutting him off before he could even get his request out. Discouraged because this ultimately will impact future communications down the road. Quickly and humbly grovel and conceed to hear the terms of the deal, knowing full well the answer will be "no.") Ohhh, come back here. What is this "deal" you want to make?

G: (Ever so enthusiastically) If I could just get right on all my chores for the week since I am up and already dressed, can I play Hookie from school today? Please?

M: Really? Really? Did you just ask me to skip school? Nah, I don't think it's a good idea. No deal, little friend.

G: But..

M: I said, N-O. (And launch into some long, boring monologue that only a parent can deliver about how education is a priviledge and there are children all over the world who can only dream of going to school  because in stead they have to work in the fields and factories all day so their families can eat. You know that speech that is supposed to instill guilt but only comes across as mwah, mwah, mwah.)

Parenting-by-guilt? What the heck is that? After scooting him out the door to catch the bus and heading out to the much dreaded office, I began to rethink this whole encounter. Especially the part about having a clean house. That is a fairly tempting deal.

I'm fairly certain the next time he wants to make a deal; I'll take it as an opportunity to practice his negotiation skills. Heck, I could possibly get a clean house, clean laundry, cleaned garage, clean attick, mowed yard and who knows what else out of the deal. A person can get a lot of work done in an 8 hour day. Especially a young, spry lad as himself.

Happy Mid-Week Friends!