Guess what....I still run!

I have not written much about running in a long time.  For the most part this has been intentional.  I want to document more family memories than a good or bad run.  I also just want running to be fun at the moment.  Feeling like I need to write about a run puts pressure on me or I put that pressure on me.  Either way, I felt I needed to write about my run from yesterday.  I want to remember how I felt when I finished.

I was not supposed to be able to run yesterday.  We were supposed to have been in Austin cheering on Drew as he completed the MS150.  Since that did not happen I took advantage of the extra time and ran outside.  Because I slept in I did not begin my run until 10:30 which is crazy late for me.  It was probably a good thing since I am running a half marathon Memorial Day weekend.  I have to get accustomed to running in the sun and warm weather. 

When I started running I felt so sluggish.  The wind was bothersome.  It seemed so bright.  I just was not feeling the run at all, but knew I needed to run at least 7 miles.  I could do that.  What I did not realize was I was carrying all this weight inside and in some way it was slowing me down.  Our week had been very stressful.  Truly I have had several mentally stressful weeks.  The sickness in our house was not helping.  The news from Boston and West, Texas just made it all worse.

I felt like with each mile slowly but surely all the stress was leaving my body.  It was truly a cleansing run.  I have only cried one time when running and that was when I started marathon #1.  They were tears of excitement, anticipation, and joy.  Yesterday my tears were healing.  I felt so much better when I got home 10 miles later.  I felt lighter!

I love running for many reasons.  Yesterday I realized I love it probably the most for the freedom it gives me to process, think, feel, and heal.  Yesterday's run was not about distance or time.  It was about giving me some clarity and comfort to meet the demands of this week and the coming weeks!  It reminded me that I pledged to EMBRACE the challenges of this year.  I realized I have been fighting them, but no more.  Oh how I love the healing powers of a run.  It is cheaper than therapy!