Running my mouth

Today's long run called for 8 miles.  I rarely have time to talk to a friend for over an hour without some sort of interruption.  Having a best friend as one of my running partners means we have many miles to talk.  I look forward to this time-we talk about everything under the sun.  I spent at least two miles complaining about delayed article decisions that now means I will be frantically trying to revise and resubmit before I get on a plane to China.  As usual on a run, there was a point where we were laughing so hard we couldn't run at all.  Better to be breathless from laughing than to be breathless from being out of shape! Miles completed, we stood in the waning evening sunlight talking just a bit longer.  We returned to our respective cars only when we became too chilled to stand outside any longer.  The protected time of running with friends carried me through the evening routine of dinner, bathtime, and reluctant bedtime.  Knowing I have running as my escape hatch helps me remain calm and centered amid the chaos of my life. 

Dreaming while Running

As someone who works a full-time job and is a full-time mom, I have been learning slowly to embrace the 5:00 am run.  I was a rower for a brief time in college and not once did I think, "how nice to have this quiet time to myself."  Now, though, it is nice to slip out while the house and the neighborhood are asleep.  I turn on my headlamp and away I go. 

This morning's run was spectacular.  I ran on a carpet of magnolia blossoms that shone in the moonlight.  The stars twinkled overhead and every so often a bird chirped to break the silence.  The only other sound I heard was my breathing.  I had been running for awhile and became lost in my thoughts.  I thought of my little girl sleeping in her bed and my other little girl who was likely eating dinner on the other side of the world.  I wondered if the article I had in review would come back soon.  I thought of the to-do list that I had for work that day.  I thought of a friend and her daughter who has a brain tumor.  Suddenly, I looked around and did not know where I was on my route.  I was about two miles farther into my run than I thought I would be.  Once oriented, I continued my run, each stride taking me closer to my still-sleeping house.

Running Better

I have been running since I was 9.  It has been a long time since I felt I was running towards anything fast.  It has seemed for the past 5 or 6 years the only thing I was heading towards quickly was 40.  Lately a magical thing is happening-I am running faster.  Not fast, but faster.  Last week, I ran the Northeast Roadrunners 10k in 57:39.  I felt strong and I passed runners all the way back up Kelly Drive.  Today, I ran the Leprechaun 5 miler in 44:01.  It has been a decade since I felt this good.  I have been doing the same training, so maybe 40 is the new 30.