I haven't run for a while, cuz I straight up have not felt like it. I've had other things to do, house projects, yardwork, social obligations, etc. And I started getting this weird rapid heartbeat in the heat so I decided to embrace my lazy for a bit. (I am not actually lazy but absurdly unable to sit still ever.) Well, last Saturday I FELT like it. Donned me running shoes and hit the road. And here's what I remembered about running: 1) LOVE. I love love love to move my body because I can. I think of all the times I've been limited by injury or pregnancy or time constraints - they flash through my mind and my hearts swells with gratitude for the present moment. I see how this sounds a little too perfect (ooh - all my runs are so blissful. Yeah right. If they weren't slogfests all summer I wouldn't've taken a hiatus) The weather was perfect. "It was a beautiful, crisp October day", which leads me to #2. 2) Living in New England in October and running along the Merrimack River is a miracle of existence and nature and a divine blessing of beauty. I know. That may be a bit much. But when those endorphins are cruising around and I think about all the places I've been that don't have autumn like we do, I am very grateful and appreciative of what we have. It's an anomaly. The water was like glass. It was perfectly chilly so running was just right. The older I get the more picky I can be about running temps. Too hot and I get the heart palpies. Too cold and my lungs hurt. This was Goldilocks'-3rd-bowl-of-oatmeal-jussssst-riiight. 3) I get to laugh at myself. I listen to Rocky's theme song and I am so ridiculous but it really pulls my shoulders back, head up, puts a spring in my step and a big ole goofy grin across my face because I delight in nothing more so than my own silliness.
This is unbelievably lame. This is like two warring parents who are so selfish and really only hurting their children (the American people). I am not going to wax political here. It makes me sick and that is all I will say. I could go on for days, but I'd rather get on with the task at hand.
It seems to have stalled my posting, because, I am embarrassed to say, if the shutdown continues, I am not sure if I can justify the entry fee for the race. What? I haven't registered yet?!? I know, I know....slacker procrastinator here. I have been glued to CNN all week. Gross. But no income for the time being, although they guarantee back pay for furloughed employees, that's a well and good, but I can't really justify a $65 fee in the midst of all this madness.
THIS IS NOT A PITY PARTY. Not looking for help. Too damned self-reliant Yankee for that. These are just the facts of the situation. I am still training. I can run my own damn half marathon myself. I could afford it if I really wanted it, but in the light of the recent situation it seems rather frivolous for our budget. I like the excitement and camaraderie of a race. I also like looking up stats and times on coolrunnings. But honestly, this is about proving to myself that I can go the distance so I can go the distance on my own time in my own manner on my own route with my husband & kids cheering from the sidelines.
Silver lining: Government shut down = more time to train! I enjoyed some really gorgeous autumn long, cool, crisp runs last week. Government can't shut THIS down, bitch!
