What I Miss About Running

When you're "forced" not to run instead of choosing not to, you kind of miss it and can get a little down about not doing it.

I'm posting this as a pseudo therapy session so thanks in advance for letting me...

WHAT I MISS ABOUT RUNNING, in no particular order:

The first 60 seconds when my body still feels tight and stiff and I take my first deep breath of outside air as I jog easy to warm up.

A few minutes later when I find my rhythm, my body feels warm and I've found my breath.

Looking over toward the sunrise, feeling the cold morning air and knowing I'm starting my day with such a precious gift.

Or looking up during a mid morning run and seeing a few scattered clouds throughout the bright blue sky, and feeling the sun's warmth on my back.

Picking up the pace to whatever the workout prescribes for the day, feeling my breathing getting more rapid and heavy, feeling my muscles working hard, talking myself through the difficult aspects of running and then feeling, "Yea, there's my groove. Just hold on to it."

Then slowing back down and letting my body recuperate from the hard work it just completed and thanking God for the ability to push my body to its limits. I get so excited about pushing the envelope sometimes!

The sweat that pours off my body (gross), guzzling water or sports drink every 2 miles and enjoying the few seconds of walking that I get to do while I drink, feeling the dirt under my feet, or hearing my feet hit the road, feeling the wind rush past me, hearing the wind in my ears, waving thank you to cars that allow me to pass in front of them, smiling at friends and neighbors I recognize on my run.

Catching my breath when the entire run is completely over, thinking "wow, that hurt" and walking through the door to hear my sweetheart husband say, "Hi! How was your run?" And then rambling about how fast or slow or painful or great or all of the above that it was. And seeing him smile at me like I'm crazy for killin' myself out there.

Sharing my daily workouts with you great people and knowing you understand every little piece of the puzzle.

I know I'm missing something and I'll think of it later. But I just miss running. I miss it. But I know it'll be back soon.