Monday, December 21, 2009

Even Crappy Runs Rule


Why the crazy ass, maniacal smile? It's been a good day. And the monthly visitor is even in town. As we speak my kids have left on a bike ride without me even having to beg and plead that they stop beating each other up and find something to do. Some kids may do this naturally, i.e., entertain themselves, but mine have always preferred to be within 2" of my physical body, usually touching me in some way.

We always love to bitch about the weather where we are and how it sucks to run in the ___________ (insert your choice of word here: cold, snow, wind, sleet, hurricane, tornado, tsunami). But, be glad you can run. At all. I bring this up a lot because it has been on my mind a lot. I couldn't run for almost three months and it about killed me. During this time, I would have given my left nut to take a crappy run. That's about how much I wanted to run. It took me an injury to just be grateful to be out there at all despite weather conditions and unwanted bodily functions every run's a run to be celebrated.

This morning, for instance, I had the longest run I have had in three months. Five miles. The headwind was atrocious and the route was uphill. But I sincerely loved every second of it. The simple sensation of running. The sound of my feet on the dirt road. The sunshine on my back. The subtle taste of another marathon in my future. It felt like hope.


Today is Winter Solstice and also the first day of winter. I love this day. It means we are emerging out of the darkness. Our days will become longer, our nights shorter. This feels like hope too. Check out my latest Examiner article about this very fact and how it applies to us runners.

Another reason I'm smiling? Ken and I get to drop the kids with my parents for the night. We'll be heading to Boulder for some merriment and good food at Brasserie Ten Ten (I'm going for the muscles and frites). Almost 15 years of marriage and I still love a good date with my charming, funny and adorable husband.


One last note. If you haven't seen The Hangover and you want a feel good family movie an adventure in extreme crudeness, go get it at the Redbox.

22 comments:

  1. I couldnt have said it better myself! :) Have fun on your date tonight!!! :)

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  2. Have a wonderful date tonight!

    My injury made me feel that way too. I feel so grateful after every run. Especially if no part of my body is aching. You are getting back up there, mileage-wise, at the right pace. Good for you!

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  3. I havent had an injury yet and not sure what that all feels like. I really do appreciate your blog and all your insite. Here in Florida its chilly the last few days but not nearly as cold as it is there. We are very lucky to have days like these cause usually its so hot and humid you cant breathe. thanks again for you blog. Have a great date night!

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  4. If you're handing out left nuts, please ship one my way, because occasionally I need some balls ... however today I found a nice pair laying around the house and ran in the 30 degree MIST (not rain quite) with shorts on. Fab. Loved it.

    Except for the homeless guy coming out of the park bathrooms who yelled, "Aren't you cold BABY?" and I consequently ran FASTER.

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  5. So glad you're able to get back out there and enjoy...even a crappy run! Great article...I'll be glad to see some sunshine at some point on my AM run in the near future!

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  6. We're all one step away from a crippling injury - soooo glad you are getting back in the game the smart way! Yeah, so looking forward to every microsecond more of sunshine til June 20th!!!

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  7. Crappy runs...that could be taken two ways. ;)

    Glad you are feeling better and working your way up the mileage hill some more. Have fun on your little trip!

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  8. I totally agree...a crappy run is so much better than no run at all. Thanks for the reminder.
    Happy Solstice!

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  9. I enjoyed myself a crappy run this morning! I actually started thinking about your 10% rule, although my mind was just wandering and I just thought if I quit when I had wanted to I would have upped my mileage by -50%. But it still motivated me nonetheless!

    5 miles! Wahoo!!!

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  10. A bad day running is better than a good day doing pretty much anything else!

    Have fun with your date night.

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  11. Congrats on 5 miles!! (and I love the Hangover!-I didn't think I would, but I couldn't stop laughing!)

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  12. Crappy runs do rule!
    It's just doing it and clearing our foggy-mommy brains.

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  13. Hey, good job on the five mile run! I wasn't able to run for two weeks due to a hip injury and I thought I was going to die.

    PS, I love your cute running outfit!

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  14. Glad you are back enjoying the asphalt! Any run is a good run to me, too.

    Thanks for the reminder to be grateful for getting to run...good weather or bad.

    Love the pictures!

    Hubbs and I are celebrating an anniversary tomorrow! Enjoy your kiddo free night! ;-)

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  15. You are too cute. And look too good to be heading out the door to go running in that second pic.

    Have a GREAT date night!

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  16. Congrats on the 5-miler. I hope you had a great date :-)

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  17. I'm starting an official 1,010 miles for 2010! I am hoping to get a bunch of blog friends to participate so if you wouldn't mind linking to my post
    http://runninaround.wordpress.com/2009/12/23/another-celebrity-goodbye-and-a-new-challenge-for-the-blog-world/

    it would be fabulous!

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  18. So you went for the muscles and not the mussels... cute busboy, perhaps?

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  19. Up to 5 miles? Congrats girl! Feels good right?

    I loved your race report from your below post. In fact, it actually brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to throw my arms up as I cross the finish line! Very moving post.

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