Whewwwwwwww!

This weekend's run was from Redhook to Marymoor... I had difficulty getting out of bed on Saturday. I almost, almost stayed home in bed.... but my thoughts kept wandering and I couldn't get back to sleep. It was partially out of guilt, partially out of "I should", and partially because I knew it would be good for me. Oh, and I had to use the bathroom. So, I got up, got ready, and got to practice too late for the "early start". It was gorgeous outside and very cold, steam and fog were hanging low along the Burke-Gilman trail as I started off by my lonesome .... on my 8 mile journey. I forgot my ipod and was worried.

This was the best practice by far. I discovered that I was expending so much energy, too much energy, but trying too hard on the run portions of my run/walk combos. I experimented with stride length, cadence, and how my feet hit the ground. I ended up running, running, running, and taking small 20 second breaks to take deep breaths and focus energy on just planting one firm foot in front of the other. I can't even say how happy I felt... I almost found myself in tears because I was having an amazing amount of fun. I think I felt a huge relief in moving forward, using pent up energy, and feeling my body so free.

I've had incredible stress lately, my mom is checking into the Cleveland Clinic today - she's been sick for over 2 years, seen over 19 doctors, and has no solid diagnosis, treatment plan, or means of "recovering". I've been picking up the pieces after someone broke into my car, etc. It just felt so good to feel like I was in "control" of something for a change. I was just in that moment, no thoughts about anything else. When I finished, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted. It felt like such a blessing to sit next to my friend Kit by the fireplace at Tully's, sipping coffee, and feeling so grateful to be alive, healthy, and refreshed. I'm feeling empowered, happy, a tad anxious, and truly grateful as I enter this new week.

Thanks for reading. :)