Running is Always an Adventure

I love to run. I have loved it since I was 17 years old, and I ran my first mile wearing real running shoes! I started out running with my sister, Kary, who now runs marathons. Back in the day, we started by turkey-trotting around our Alaskan neighborhood, slow and steady, while dodging moose and bears. We kept extending our distances, and getting stronger, and changing our lives! 

It was amazing for me to see how my body could grow in strength and endurance. As I kept running, I ran off 30 pounds. I felt strong, and I felt healthy -- I felt wonderful in a way I had never felt before. I started to crave running. My body wanted it. My brain wanted it. 

I have run on-and-off ever since then. I have had years of diligent running, and years of not so consistent running. At one point I even ran up until my 8th month of pregnancy, and felt great all through the pregnancy, and even postpartum I felt amazing. When I am consistent (5-6 days a week), I feel great. When I am wishy-washy running (2-3 days a week), I feel OK. If I don't run (0 days a week), I feel awful. 

Right now I am working back up to the 5-6 days a week again, after my recent wishy-washy running effort. This winter was rough. There was so much sickness, and nasty weather. There is no excuse for my lack of effort, I just did not do it, that is all. But now, it is starting to feel good again. I am excited about it again. I am ready to really go for it! 

I love running outside because it is always an adventure. I leave my cozy home to purposefully endure heavy breathing, body discomfort, weather, animals, people, hills to climb, puddles to jump over, and sweat pouring down my face. Each time I go out for a run I see new things. I see new sunrises/sunsets, new clouds in the sky, new leaves growing on the trees, new people, and new places. Even if I run the same trail, it is never the same run. 

After extending the great effort to thrust my body forward, and pound the pavement, I come home and everything seems brighter than when I left. My eyes see everything clearer, and more hopeful. I feel a sense of accomplishment. After a run my mind is swirling with energy, and I feel lighter in every way. No matter where I am on the scale, after I go for a run, I always feel better. 

It is like magic. 

I have never had a run that I regretted. Sometimes I try and talk myself out of running: I am too tired, I don't feel good, something hurts, etc. But in all my years on the trails, I have never, ever, gone on a run and wished that I hadn't gone. Not ever!

Last night I went for a run, and I got caught in a storm. It was clear skies when I left, but this huge dark cloud came blowing in, and I had to run right into it. At one point the wind was so strong it took my breath away, and the rain was so cold my skin was stinging in pain. It is a funny feeling to be out running in a storm by yourself, getting pelted with wind and rain -- you feel very alone, and vulnerable. In those moments, I end up feeling really close to God. I talk out loud to Him -- pleading for help and strength -- as I push my body and spirit through Mother Nature unleashing her fury. (I have been stuck running in storms many times.) No matter how fierce the storm, He has always given me the strength to run home. 

I never feel closer to God then when I run.

I am so grateful that I can run. No matter how out of shape I have been, I have always been able to at least jog slowly. I am so grateful for my body -- though it is imperfect in so many ways -- it is beautiful, and it is strong. My body has been used as a portal, allowing four precious spirits to come into this world. It has performed miracles. It has carried me through the entirety of my life. It is a precious gift! It is time to treat my temple right again. My body deserves it. 

Run, run, run! 

 P.S. The images are from the storm last night, taken on my iPhone.