Songs From Different Times

I love to run.  Have I told you this lately?  I love planning races and the hype that goes into the particular city.  I love preparing for the upcoming long run and the obstacles you will encounter.  I love being so attuned to your body as far as nutritional and hydration needs.  I love that you can trick your mind into crazy things just to get you those last few miles.  It’s almost like a game of chess you play with yourself.  Every move you make adds up to a win or a loss and each move or situation means something on down the road.  Literally.  One wrong choice early in the race can mean total failure at the end. 

 

I love looking down at my Garmin and seeing all those miles pile up and the calories burn.  I love feeling my frustration melt out of my body and the evidence of it being salty tracks on my skin.  I love the fact that my feet know my running shoes.  You get that “ah” feeling once you slip them on.  I love that being a runner is a universal cult.  You just have to RUN to be accepted.  I love that every runner, no matter the distance, has a story to tell you about some race and you understand it because it’s happened to you too.  Runners are the most encouraging people on the planet and would run with you the hard miles of the race if it meant you would through.  I love that this sport makes me solely competitive with myself and no one else. 

 

I just signed up for another marathon.  Yep, I surely did.  When I get nervous or excited, or a good deal floats my way I just bat my pretty eyes at my husband and he lets me try.  That’s another thing I love- my husband who understands my obsession and fixation with running and lets me do it with no restraints other than my health.  That’s very important. 

 

I have 13 days left until the Tulsa Marathon and I am nervous.  It doesn’t matter how prepared I am, I’m still nervous.  I just need to finish.  This is my first marathon in a year and I’m nervous.  So, when I’m nervous I just give my race calendar a look-see and plan something else.  After Tulsa in 13 days I am signed up for 3 more marathons.  Oh my goodness. 

 

Nov 22- Route 66 Tulsa Marathon

Dec 5- St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Feb 28- Rock n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon, New Orleans

April 11- GO! St. Louis Marathon

 

Do you believe this?  What’s worse is the fact that I have several more races in the “hopper” for 2010 that I haven’t officially registered for.  For example, I’m just waiting for Chicago to open up so I can register for that race.  I am GOING to run Chicago on 10/10/10.  Sign me up.  Not only that, but I want to be faster.  Running is like a drug; the more you have the more you want and the faster you have to get it.  I was driving the other day and saw a hill with a sidewalk and thought, “I could so do some hill repeats on that thing.”  Whoa, I’ve crossed over. 

 

So, all that being said, I’m nervous.  I have to run tonight.  By myself.  Ashley is enjoying a fantastic vacation on her way back from California so I need to put on my big girl britches and do this. Ry gave me permission to try since I haven’t had any dizzy spells in a while.  No excuses because I only have 13 DAYS until my race.  Sigh.  Here goes nothing!!

 

TODAY I LOVE: hmmmm, running maybe?  And hot tea.

 

SONG OF THE DAY: “Songs From Different Times” by Jack Savoretti

Comments

[Melissa]

Your dedication is truly inspiring!!!

[Willie]

You are awesome! Can't wait for Tulsa. You are going to kick butt.

Thanks for the inspirations over the last few months. I'm getting things settled now but I was leaning on your blog pretty heavily for awhile. Sure you had no idea but thanks anyway.