I Just Felt Like Running

If you know me at all, or have known me for any length of time - you may know that I am not built for running. In my mind's eye, I run like a gazelle, graceful, quick and beautiful. The reality is, I probably look a lot more like a basset hound unsuccessfully trying to keep up with the group and tripping over my ears. I am sure if someone took a picture of me running I would be grimacing. I would not be the poster child for running as a fun sport. The truth is, my body much prefers the fluidity of water, the peaceful calm and solitude of being beneath its surface.

However, about 4 months ago I was suddenly without a gym. I needed to continue working out as it is amazingly therapeutic for me and allows me to eat pizza in the obscene way I want to. I began jogging around my neighborhood, hesitant about how far I could push myself. The first few jogging attempts were tough. I would stop frequently to catch my breath, but I began to like the feeling of accomplishment that accompanied the end of my 2 mile jaunt. The more I ran, the more addicted I became to seeing what exactly my body was capable of. I also realized that the 30-45 minutes I spent jogging, I also spent meditating, sorting through jumbled thoughts, painful feelings, or just allowing my mind to be quiet for a short while.

Now, just a few shorts months later I can feel good about calling myself a jogger. I am so impressed with how my body has adapted to this new hobby. I make sure that 4-5 times a week I spend that time with myself, improving my physical fitness and getting in touch with what motivates me everyday.

If 30 year old me bumped into 15 year old me and told that teenager that someday she was going to freaking love running, I know that 15 year old would scoff and find that statement completely unbelievable. But I can say with 100% certainty that I do love jogging. I love everything about it. I love the hard work. I love the sweat. I love, love, love pushing past the wall. I love the jogging high. I love my neon pink Nike Fitsoles. I love the definition in my calves. And I love being outside, running through my neighborhood or by the glittering Pacific.