Today I ran, because I can.
I have never felt more alive.
With each ragged breath I breathe I acknowledge I am breathing. I am alive.
I really take a deep breath. Inhale.
I feel my chest expand. Smell the scent of cut grass, the wildflowers, the trees. This steadies my breath and I focus on enjoying every deep inhale I take.
With each step I take further I am reminded I can go in any direction I choose. I choose to keep going. I have the ability to keep going. I feel my feet hitting the ground and that feeling is a glorious gift I am blessed with. I focus on my two feet, my two legs strong and steady and this carries me on.
Today my thoughts are clear and there is only one message on my heart and mind. Be thankful.
Be thankful for the wildflowers in their vivid colors of yellow and purple. Uncut on the side of the road as if they are there to cheer me on. Be thankful for the breeze. The breeze that I feel on my face, my entire body that brings new energy, and relief from the heat. Be thankful for the sun that is shining, and the warmth it shines down on me. Be thankful for this body. This body that can do amazing things. This body that can go any which way I choose. This body that can see, and hear, and feel, and really feel alive during this run.
I am alive. I am blessed with this body that is able, when so many are not. I will honor myself by taking care of it. It is a gift to be able to run, and experience today. I will run for myself, because there are those that cannot.
I will appreciate every run because I can.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
"It's Been Awhile"
It's been awhile ...
and it has.
I haven't ran in weeks. 2, 3? Long enough to make me feel like a beginner again. I made it all the way to 6+ miles, and here I am starting again with 2 and 3 mile runs.
I was actually resting my right knee. For awhile (and still at times) I have been having sharp pains over/under? my knee cap. I still continue my Les Mills Combat workout (which may or may not be a good idea) and yoga, but the running seemed too much. So I'm starting over, or so it feels, and pacing slow for now.
When I told my Dad today I was running again after a minor knee "thing" he told me to "be careful". and "Running does things like that" - referring to my knee?
When people who aren't runners think about running, that's what they think of: injury to knees, injury to ankles, shin splints, sprains, things that end in "itis" and the list goes on.
So do you want to know what I was thinking about while running today?
(Well, I'm going to tell you either way ...)
Skin.
It covers your entire body, you couldn't run without it, and up until today I hadn't really given it too much thought when it comes to running.
Why was I thinking of it today you ask? (Maybe I'm too amateurish to have really given it too much thought before)
Well, today it was extraordinarily sunny (at least for a NYer) and hot! (That's what happens when you live in TX). So today, on my short, slow run (with my 1yr old in the stroller) I was hot, the sun was scorching, and my skin was on fire! I will admit, I am fairer than most people. My paleness should probably reflect the sun. But today the sun, the heat, the sweat, it all resulted in what I'll call "the burn".
And while most people headed out are worried about the right lacing of shoes, the right form, the right playlist, or the right route, I will now be worrying (or thinking of, rather) about the right sun screen!
A sweat proof, spray type sun screen. Because while my knees, and ankles and all are important to me I won't be running anywhere if I don't take care of my skin.
Protect your skin people, and keep going (:
and it has.
I haven't ran in weeks. 2, 3? Long enough to make me feel like a beginner again. I made it all the way to 6+ miles, and here I am starting again with 2 and 3 mile runs.
I was actually resting my right knee. For awhile (and still at times) I have been having sharp pains over/under? my knee cap. I still continue my Les Mills Combat workout (which may or may not be a good idea) and yoga, but the running seemed too much. So I'm starting over, or so it feels, and pacing slow for now.
When I told my Dad today I was running again after a minor knee "thing" he told me to "be careful". and "Running does things like that" - referring to my knee?
When people who aren't runners think about running, that's what they think of: injury to knees, injury to ankles, shin splints, sprains, things that end in "itis" and the list goes on.
So do you want to know what I was thinking about while running today?
(Well, I'm going to tell you either way ...)
Skin.
It covers your entire body, you couldn't run without it, and up until today I hadn't really given it too much thought when it comes to running.
Why was I thinking of it today you ask? (Maybe I'm too amateurish to have really given it too much thought before)
Well, today it was extraordinarily sunny (at least for a NYer) and hot! (That's what happens when you live in TX). So today, on my short, slow run (with my 1yr old in the stroller) I was hot, the sun was scorching, and my skin was on fire! I will admit, I am fairer than most people. My paleness should probably reflect the sun. But today the sun, the heat, the sweat, it all resulted in what I'll call "the burn".
And while most people headed out are worried about the right lacing of shoes, the right form, the right playlist, or the right route, I will now be worrying (or thinking of, rather) about the right sun screen!
A sweat proof, spray type sun screen. Because while my knees, and ankles and all are important to me I won't be running anywhere if I don't take care of my skin.
Protect your skin people, and keep going (:
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