aaahhhh!

For the 1st time since before Christmas, I got out for a run with my Saturday morning running group. I managed 5 miles, last Sunday I got in about 4.5. Those two runs alone have nearly matched my mileage for the entire month of January. Neither were easy runs, but I took it slow and at least made the distance. It felt so good, and I'm glad to know that I won't have to start completely over as I start preparing for my next race.

Running is a unique experience in my life. In some ways, it is a solitary activity. I run most of my training runs solo, and even when I join the group, I do not often have a running partner. Most of the regulars run far faster than I do. I like the solo aspect most of the time, though. Running is my "noodling" time, when I think things through in my head. I have composed the basics of some of my more thoughtful posts in the past while running.

Running is also a social activity for me. In fact it was a friend who inspired me to start running in the 1st place, and the two of us often include a run when we spend time together. My Saturday group gathers for coffee and chit-chat after the runs. It is a connection with people on weekends, when I am often my only company otherwise. I have made many friends online through a running message board, and we now often travel to the same races and turn it into a social weekend.

(It's funny. For as important an activity as running is for me -- recent lapse in miles notwithstanding -- I haven't actually written about it too much on my blog. I do love it though, even when I hate it. )

One final thought about running. I am not particularly coordinated and never considered myself an athlete. My brother, who lettered in cross-country and track in high school, was the family athlete. I remember the day that I sent my family an email detailing my experience in my 2nd half-marathon (13.1 mile race for those unfamiliar with it), and he sent back a response that said he was impressed, and that he himself never ran a distance longer than 6 miles. That comment helped cement the idea in my mind that I really am a runner and athlete after all. :)