Though it’s hard to believe because, you know, the sun is just barely beginning to rise, I’m already up and happy about it. Really happy, in fact. On the verge of annoying happy, actually. It’s true, and someone may slap me for it before the day is done.
I don’t have any super secret reason for my happiness– nothing to reveal. It’s just this morning, before the sun came up, before I really had a chance to think about the rest of the day, before I let myself worry about anything, I ran. And it was good.
A lot of my time spent talking about running is analytical (some may call it complaining). I wonder what can improve, what went wrong, why, with all the mix of cultures I have in my bloodstream, isn’t one of them Kenyan? I contemplate these things to death under the guise of my love for running. Today though, on this early morning run, there was no guise.
I’d set out for five miles. It’s something I can do comfortably in well under an hour, something I’m comfortable with in the morning. I was surprised how early into the run I felt good. Usually it takes a mile or two before I am not making myself run. Usually I need warm up time. This morning the temperature and my mind and my body must have been just right though. It felt, dare I say, easy. And now that I’ve jinxed myself by calling it easy, I might as well seal the deal and say that this was the best run I’ve had in months, possibly a year.
So when people see me later, and I have this air about me as though everything is wonderful and nothing can go wrong, when I look like I’m just seconds away from tossing my hat high above my head because gee, I AM GOING TO MAKE IT AFTER ALL, they’re just going to have to ignore me. I don’t expect anyone to understand how one run makes all the others worth it, how one run makes you remember why you love it. They should just roll their eyes and carry on, because it will be too hard to explain why this is a big deal. It may not happen again and I may forget this feeling tomorrow, but today, today it is enough.
Danielle says:
Oh I so love those days…I need one of them!! I’m happy you were able to find one and remember the joy. Maybe I can bask in the glow of your happiness!!
It’s a powerful thing isn’t it?
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 am
charlotteharris says:
Exercise is magic… it seriously can make you forget everything that is bugging you. A chemical is released in our brain — I don’t know all the science behind it, but I do believe it to be true! Hope your whole day is this great!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:36 am
brookem says:
seriously, what a damn good feeling that is, right? enjoy it!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Mel Heth says:
That’s such a great feeling. Good for you! It made me happy just reading this. And your Kenyan comment cracked me up.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Dingo says:
It usually take me about 10 minutes after I start a run to actually feel like running. After that, I can’t remember why I didn’t feel like running in the first place.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
angie says:
glad to hear it! i totally “get” it…
cheers!
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
JACC says:
So you felt good running?
That’s a good thing?
I’m happy your happy, but the rest is crazy moon language.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
backofpack says:
That’s just so…Mary…of you! I love runs like that, fortunately for me, they come more than once per year. Hmmmm…we’ve got to get your quota up!
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
nicole says:
hurrah for your run! oh i know that feeling, i know it so well! i’m glad for you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
The Exception says:
What a wonderful way to start the day - and the weekend!! YEA!!
Enjoy every moment of today as it started on just the right foot!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:31 am
barbara says:
The combination of a summer morning and a fabulous run - well I would go ahead and throw my hat into the air if I were you.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Dan says:
Random stranger here. I know how you feel! I got into running right before what should have been the worst year of my life took place. The running was the high point at that time, so I kept up with it, and my mood was so good I actually thought all these ridiculous problems were funny. Nothing went right and I was happier than I’d ever been!!
July 6th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Jen says:
Sounds awesome. I wish I could run. Congrats!!
July 19th, 2008 at 4:08 am