A New Attitude

I'm back from the pool where I kicked up my feet, read about 60 pages in my book, and watched all the kiddos run, run, run around the pool while the lifeguard continually blew his whistle reminding them again and again, "Don't run." And then it me. I really am an idiot (that seems to be my "word" throughout these updates). I should be damn grateful that I can run. That I can throw on shoes and head out whenever I need/want to. In fact, I thought about this for so long that I'm officially ready to write my Top 6 list of reasons that I LOVE running now. Here goes. (1) Running is MY time. With my earbuds in my ears and my face looking out ahead, I am free to think about whatever I need to... a luxury that normally doesn't occur doing other activities. (2) Even though I'm sloooow, I'm doing it. I'm running. It's taken me a long time to get to where I'm at having not picked up running until moving to Denver and I'm proud of that. (3) I love when you're out on the trail (usually the Highline) and you give that little nod to the other runners coming at you from the opposite direction... it's a "knowing nod" that only runners know. I'm happy to "know." (4) We all know that I'm no athlete... I can't throw a ball, catch a ball, hit a ball with a bat, or toss one up into a basket but I've got my running. If I can keep from falling down, this is something that I CAN do. It used to be just cheerleading and tennis... now I've added running. AOA (Adult Onset of Athleticism). (5) I can run in so many different places depending on my mood. I'm not restricted to a court or a gym. I can head out my front door and run down Colfax where the homeless folks cheer me on. I can head out to the Highline and get those loving "nods" from the others runners out there doing long runs. I can go to Wash Park where it's busy and crowded and full of distractions. Or I can head downtown and run down the 16th Street Mall, weaving between tourists and locals, enjoying the perfect timing of the "Walk" signs when you find the right pace. (6) Because I run, I am connected to this group of loving friends who chose RUNNING as a way to honor Dawn. I am so grateful to be a part of this group. I am grateful that I'm included, grateful that my slow stride isn't ridiculed, grateful that I have a body (even these aching knees) that allows me to do this in the name of our friend. And so I apologize for the whining in my last email but I'm better now... promise. We all have good days and tough days, right? Sometimes you're lucky enough to have both all in one day. I'm looking forward to heading out again soon.
--Tina