Running

Just got home from my first run of the season.

Man, I'm not sure I've been this out of shape in a very long time.

I can't believe that there used to be a time in my life where I would run 5 miles easily. And love it.

Well, that was about 10 years ago.

And ever since I've run a bit, but never regularly enough for long enough.

I ran in Kenya within the tea fields and the villages. But that was sometimes scary.

I ran in Colorado Springs beside the creek. I loved that. I would always count how many rabbits I saw each time I was out. Sometimes it was too muddy with late spring snows, but I loved seeing Pikes Peak in the distance.

I ran in Illinois. Those runs were actually what I looked forward to most each day. I ran beneath the trees, beside the river. It was my daily sanity, pulled out of the Chicago suburbs, my daily treat of wilderness and time alone. I would emerge from the woods soaking wet from the humidity, with mosquitoes stuck dead in my hairline and in the corners of my eyes.

I haven't found a place to run here that I really enjoy (not to say I've tried too hard, though). There is a little pebble trail outside my front door that quickly transforms into a sidewalk along the Frontage road. At least it is off of the street. But today i was running and trying to enjoy this beautiful Spring day and realized that all i could hear was the highway and all i could smell was the exhaust. Although, I was thankful for the mountains in the distance. I suppose I should build up my lungs and my muscles a bit on this road so that I am able to take myself onto the mountain trails - those are nearly impossible to sustain at a running pace when my body is as weak as it is now.

I really want to get back at it though. I know that once I discipline myself enough to run regularly for about two months, I will get my body accustomed to it enough to begin to really crave and love running again. What I really need to do is build up enough strength and endurance (not to mention shedding a few lbs.) in order to get my body ready for the climbing season. I hope that it's not too late for that.