The most funnest run ever!

Yesterday, I had the most fun running I can remember in a long time...you see, I got the opportunity to run with my 19 first graders.  It was Explorer Expedition "Walk-A-Thon", our school's fundraiser.  Only my kiddos aren't walkers...they are RUNNERS.  I have one of the most energetic classes in our school.  Usually I get upset with them when they run (inside the school), but yesterday, I could let them run and see their faces light up while doing it.  And, to make it better, I got to run with them!  How awesome that I could share my love of running with them?! 

We ran as fast as we could without abandon and with huge smiles on our faces, laughing the whole time and screaming and wooing.  Some of them wanted to race me. We would sprint in the straightaways.  I loved seeing the surprise on their little faces when they realized that I would actually race them. It makes my heart smile. No one was worried about time, distance, or pace.  We were just running.  It was amazing to see running from a child's point of view. 

Too often we forget to have fun with the run.  We all want a better time, a longer distance, or to beat a foe, which are all great goals to have, but we mustn't forget to enjoy it.  Don't let your goals consume you.  They will come with experience and training.  I am guilty of letting myself become so caught up in wanting to get faster that I get frustrasted with my runs, with myself, and with my body.  I try to rush into things and get hurt, whether it be physically or emotionally.

What about you?  How do you make sure you enjoy your runs?

They can't all be good runs

No matter how my run went, I am thankful for these legs that allow me to run many miles.

Today was supposed to be a 20 mile run.  Here is what really happened...

At mile 2, I was having a hard time breathing because it was hot.  We have had an unseasonably long winter here in East Tennessee and my body has not acclimated to the 70s yet.

At mile 7, I sat down on the sidewalk to perform myofacial release on my own knee...oh yeah, and move the muscle back where it goes.  It kept slipping over. 

At mile 10, I wanted to quit.  I was miserable.  Going slower than I ever have. 

At mile 13, I went on search of Body Glide, Vaseline, anything for my arm chafing.  Apparently, CrossFit has beasted my biceps so they kept rubbing.  (hehe) Of course, everthing was closed but I ran into a dear friend who supplied that Vaseline for me :)  Thank you!

At mile 15.5 , I quit.  I was feeling awful and in pain.  I mean, really hurting. I talked to my fellow Big Sur runner,  who had just ran 24 miles (while shopping for Tart Cherry Juice for the pain) and she told me to go back out there and finish it...so I did, on the verge of tears, partly because I was disappointed in myself for not finishing and going "so slow", and partly because I was dreading making my legs move one more step, let alone 4.5 more miles, I drove to another park close by because I needed a change of scenery to finish.   

At mile 0-0.6, I ran around the little island dodging every breed of dog possible. 

At mile 0.8, I decided to run out of the park onto the road...so I didn't have to dodge dogs and worry about them biting me.  I ran by the boat ramps and up this gigantic hill and back down.

At mile 3, I quit.  Again.  I knew that I was going to hurt myself it I went any further so I quit.  I really want to be able to run in 3 weeks when I have Big Sur to tackle. 

Some days, you just have to know when enough is enough.  I was having a bad day.  It was hurting my body.  It was hurting my confidence.  So I packed it up and headed home.  And I'm ok with that.  The end.

Have you ever had to cut a run short?  Why?