A Letter to Running

Dear Running, 

 I have a love/hate relationship with you.  

Things I like about you:

• You make me feel good, refreshed, energized.
• You make me lose weight. (or fat, actually)
• Feeling proud to say, "yeah, I run."
• Seeing the beauty of nature around me.
• Jammin' to my 80's cardio playlist.

Things I'm not so fond of:

• You make me sweaty.
• If I've been away from you for a while, you make me feel old and creaky. In other words, sore.
• You are time-consuming, and I already have trouble with managing my time.
• I'm sure you make me look ridiculous. (I have a feeling I am an awkward runner...)
• Did I mention the sweaty part? Yeah, and I turn super bright red. NOT attractive!
• Also, when I am home with the kids alone, I can't get up and go while they are sleeping, they have to go with me. They throw off my pace, and we always get distracted and stop a few (hundred) times.

Well, no matter what our relationship, I have decided to become buddies with you again. I am participating in the Blue Bell Fun Run 10K tomorrow, (http://www.bluebellfunrun.com) and I am wondering if I am ready for it. We'll see come tomorrow... In my "training" I have only run for just over four miles, the 10K is 6.22 miles. Hmmmm, slightly worried. I just haven't had enough time to run the full six, take a shower and continue with my day, you are just difficult to fit in! Here's the course: what do you think?

My goal this weekend is to finish in 60 minutes. Then, as a reward, I will get to eat all the Blue Bell ice cream I want. That's fair. Don't even try to make me feel guilty. I am taking my mother-in-law and the boys with me up to Brenham and Spencer is participating in the kids 1-mile race. I am pretty excited for him. I have a feeling he's going to have the same torrid relationship with you as I do. He is pretty sure he's going to win the race, but when I see him run (especially lately, in baseball) it's as if he's going in slow motion. I really do hope he does well and likes you after this event.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know where you and I stand. It feels good to get some of this off my chest. Please be good to me and I will try and keep you in my life. We are good for each other, you know.

Yours Truly, 

Jennifer