Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

On Tuesdays, I run

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

I repeated this little ditty as I crawled from my warm bed this morning, found my exercise clothes, pulled back my hair into a ponytail. 

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

I run three times a week, and once a week it is in the dark of morning. 

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

Lace up my shoes, get out the door...don't forget the reflective vest, the bright white sweatshirt. Running in the dark! It makes me feel, all at once, both adult and child - giddy and yet responsible, alert, aware. 

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

Today it is cold, it is cold, it is cold...I am running before I even leave my driveway... only in the low 40s, my first cold running day in a long while... thin gloves and fleece headband much-needed...I try to convince myself: it's not bad, not bad, not bad. Maybe even invigorating? 

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

I am grateful for my quiet neighborhood, though I would love to see a few more folks out. Where are all the dog-walkers? I suppose they are dog-backyarders at this hour?

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

Where are the stars? My last early morning run, the sky was awash in stars, clear with constellations, bright and comforting. Today, ah, nothing but clouds, yet still comforting - the sky is a blanket of grey-white-blue-black.

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.

Today I am celebrating one year of running, one year of getting back into this very good habit for me, three days a week, 
Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 
Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 
Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 
on and on, 
one after another.
One year! Woohoo! One year!

On Tuesdays, before the sun, I run.


Thursday, March 28, 2019

SOL19 Slice#28 Early morning jog



I am participating in the
 Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOL19)
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for the month of March 2019.

A big thank you to Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.


" 'I wish I hadn't done that workout.' - said no one ever!"
[Quote on the wall of my local Y.]


Gotta do this.
Come on!
Starting new habit.
Everything aches.
It is cold outside.
I can't find my warm jacket,
the one I wear for exercise.

My heel hurts.
These shoes feel tight.
My shoulders ache.
What if I make myself sick?
Can you get sick from running in cold air?
Maybe this actually hurts me?
Maybe I'm too old for this.

Out the door.

Ugh. Hmph. Bleck. 
I have no breath.
I feel stiff.
Geez, my run is a glorified walk.
Glad I wore my gloves and headband.
It is dang cold out here.

Why did I think I could do this?
I used to always do this.
That was then.
This is now.

Oh, look at the stars!
The moon!
It's a good thing I am so slow,
I can actually look at these
while I jog.

I'll go slow,
try to clear my mind.
Can I think about nothing while I jog?
Ha! That is an elusive goal,
but fun to try, right?

Emptying one's mind.
How to do that?
Studying my feet.
Run correctly,
paying attention.
Losing myself in the motion.
Repetitive.
Motion.

Back inside.
Wow.
30 minutes.
That's the best yet!
It didn't feel like 30 minutes.
I could have gone longer!
Could'a, should'a!

That was fun!
When can I call this a habit?