Running

Or should I say jogging because that's really what I'm doing.  Running seems to imply some sort of racing speed with intense performance in a short period of time.  I'm usually just plodding along in a somewhat forward motion, zoning out on the environment around me.  However, saying I went for a "jog" doesn't seem to have the importance that running entails. 

Regardless, I did my first long run of the year outside this past weekend and all I can think is "I'm getting old!"  A nine mile loop from our house to Nick & Jeans out Indian Creek and back seemed simple enough.  Never have my calves been this sore!  Some of it has to do with the running on pavement but mostly it has to do with my body telling me "your not as young as you use to be". 

Running has been my go to exercise since I went to boarding school.  All you need is some sneakers and a get going attitude and your on your way.  I've usually thought the world over by the end of my runs and have a peaceful calm the rest of the day.  In college, running was the cheapest way to burn off the freshman fifteen.  Never needing to worry about weather, location, or distance as long as you had the will.  Living in San Francisco, running was the easy way to get around, see the city, and not have to join some totally off-the-wall gym (which I tried a few times only to leave with war stories worth repeating over cocktails).  In Idaho, I'm still running but am finding I have a lot more activities to choose from on a daily basis.  Depending on what season it is I can choose from down-hill skiing, soccer, hockey, skate skiing, mountain biking, ice skating, road biking, hiking, river rafting, snow shoeing, swimming, back country skiing....or runnning!  I've been choosing to try new things as of late and my running has been falling behind, unfortunately. 

So I got myself out there last Sunday to find my familiar friend hadn't changed a bit.  Fresh air, no equipment, no deadlines, nor worries.  Balmy 25 degree weather didn't stop me from enjoying myself.  Just me, my tennis shoes, and the road.  I think I could run forever if my body would just let me :)