running

I ran with a friend tonight for 4 miles. It was great and we got up to a super fast pace (for us). I was looking for a runner's book online and came across these runner's t-shirts. I laughed out loud when I saw the one that said, "In my mind I'm a Kenyan!" I felt that in real life the one that showed the turtle saying "I am running!" was probably more my speed!

You know Kenyans and Ethiopians win almost every major marathon. Tonight, I felt like a Kenyan running my 4 little miles(just 22 miles shy of a marathon/9 miles shy of a half marathon)in the dark down the sidewalk. I love running at night. It is great after my body gets over the shock of the first mile and my brain and my body have this conversation:

Body - "This hurts and we are doing this because????"

Brain - "O it will be fun!"

Body - "Fun, I'm not feeling it! And I see no bears, lions, or tigers chasing me for their dinner so why am I running again?"

Brain - "Stop your whining! You just have to get all of your fat moving at the same rhythm"

Body - "Shin pain, knee pain, breathing hard.....waiting on the fun! where is the fun? (in loud voice)FFFUUUNNN where are you??"

Brain - "It is ok to rest when you need to but you can't stop running. Run for those that can't run."

Body - "Ok, since you put it that way. I guess I'm feeling a little better. I am moving and that counts!"

Brain - "Push yourself! Keep going and make it to the stop light and then you can rest if you think you need it!"

Body - "O man, should've had some water before I left!"

Brain - "You should've tinkled too before you left! Squeeze army!"

Body - "Wow, my fat is all jiggling in sync and I'm moving faster and it feels good!
Is this the runner's high that everyone talks about?"

Brain - "See I told you it would be fun! Let's go further!"

Body - "Umm...that sounds great but I do have to be physically able to make it back to my starting location."

Brain - "O, details - shmetails!"

Body - "Feeling great, knees lifting higher, strides getting longer - FUN, I've found you!"

Brain - "Told ya! By the way, mile one is history and you've been running for 17 minutes without stopping!"

Body - "No way!! Thank you brain for not letting me quit!"

Brain - "Keep going body. You can do it! Only 30 more minutes to go!"

I never ever wanted to be a runner. Running is what you did after softball or basketball practice for punishment oops I think the correct term is "endurance and conditioning." ; ) I never thought I could do it and it still amazes me. If I can do it anyone can. Start slow and build up but don't quit. Just move your body!

"But those who hope in the Lord....will run and not grow weary." Isaiah 40:31