Running happiness.....

After Snickers (March 7th) I did like a good marathoner and took a full week off from running. I did walk each day and extended the distance each day. My first jog was 8 days after Snickers and it felt so nice to be moving again. However, the shin began to hurt immediately and continued through the run. This kept happening each time I would run regardless of speed or terrain. Last week while in Huntsville on business I tried a treadmill at the hotel and had the same pain. I accepted the fact that I would have to take 4-5 weeks off from any form of jogging/running.

So, here I am... 5 days since I ran on the treadmill. The acceptance was tough enough...but, to try and find something else to do has been difficult. I rode a mountain bike with my buddy Tim Saturday afternoon on his long run and that was ok...but it wasn't the same. I enjoyed seeing my buddy run for one hour without stopping though...it was a hurdle for him and he crossed over it easily....just like I knew he could.

What makes running so different?

After pondering this for the last week I have realized why running has become such a part of my life. The time I spend running I am sorting things out, planning, smiling, observing, listening and praying. Sure, those things can be done with other activities...but, there is nothing like putting on my shoes each afternoon and heading out for a short journey.

Leading up to Snickers I began using my iPod and found it to be a nice way to break up the really long runs. I still enjoy running the first few miles just listening to my steps...my breathing...the little yapping dog at mile 0.8 on my Garmin who barks but wags his tail so hard...he doesn't want to bite me or chase me...he wants to run with me! I really miss seeing the two huge redtail hawks patrolling in the empty subdivision that I log most of my miles in. Also, I miss the occasional glimpses of the fox and coyote family that live in the wooded areas. I miss the smell of fresh air mixed with the scent of pine needles, magnolia flowers and the wild flowers that grow over there.

A few weeks before Snickers I had the ultimate pleasure of running a few miles in the snow! As I ran I kept my mouth open catching snowflakes. I'm 46 yrs old but not too old to catch a few snowflakes!

Gosh I miss running. My new running coach made a statement to me that I am trying to accept. I must accept that 'The Thing' is not the thing I thought it was...meaning, running. "The Thing" is fitness. So, I am trying to accept the wisdom of this simple saying. I'm exploring biking now. It seems expensive but when I look in the floor of my closet I can relate the cost of all those shoes to a very nice mountain bike. I am trying to make "The Thing" fitness for me....but it is difficult. I miss the activity that caused this 46 yr old body to lose 27 pounds in the past 23 months. The activity that has caused my resting heart rate to drop from 72 bpm down to 54 bpm. The activity that has so greatly enhanced my awareness of what is around me.

I miss you running....but, I will see you again soon....