Runners high is cool

I'm righting these blogs post-daily as I did not get around to post my blogs on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, so there you go.

This blog goes back to my Tuesday & Wednesday runs. Amazing. That is all I can say about them. These runs were this moment in time when the world opens itself up and it's just you, your body, the earth. Now let me prefaces by saying that I'm not one of these supernatural guys who speaks of exersential life and all that mumbo jumbo. No. But there are moments in life, where it all just seems to come together. The weather was absolutely amazing. Stunning fall days of sun, clear sky and a light breeze that feels so good when you run. I just felt on. I had a tremendous amount of energy. A very clear head, that only got clearer when I was running. I could have run for every.

Throw in some music and then I'm on my way. They talk about a runners high. I get that. I think it's the relationship between you, your body and the earth. Not a bad drug to bottle up eh?

Monday is my day in cruise control

I never run on Mondays. It's too early in the week to do much of anything beyond just trying to ramp up for the week. The funny thing is that I'd probably start the week so much more efficiently if I just got up in the morning and went for a run. Get the blood pumping, unleash those endorphins and I'd be on my way. But no, instead I ingest coffee and complacently sit at my desk checking e-mails and getting ready for the work week ahead. I must run on Mondays. To start the week right.

I was too busy running to write...

Ok, so I didn't submit my post on Sunday. Reason being? It was a beautiful day and I felt compelled to be outside running, or walking and doing outdoorsy things.

It was ok. Felt a little sluggish, but felt good after the run. Need to keep up the pace and try to run as consistently as possible. Feel so much bettr throughout the day when I run.

It was time to untie the knots

I needed to run today. No matter the distance. My brain was in a knot. My body was feeling sluggish. After a long work week. I needed to go for a run.

I set out to only run 10 minutes since I had a bunch of things I needed to do. But I just kept going. My mind wandering, my body feeling more in synch I just kept running. I ran 3 miles, which months ago would be just another run, but now sadly was a big accomplishment. But it felt great. And now a few hours later I feel great. I feel more in control. I feel sharper. I've eater better today & haven't craved junk food. I'm excited it's only Saturday and I have another day with my little Luke.

So now I must leave you as I'm going to take Luke out to the swings.

Running is a time machine

This morning I went to Paris, Moab, Martha's Vineyard & Sun Valley. All from the comfortable confines of my running trail along the West Side Highway.

Do you ever have those times when you are on vacation and you watch a movie while on vacation. And that heightened state of relaxation makes that movie so much more enjoyable. And then the next time you watch that same movie it takes you back to that relaxation & enjoyment of that vacaton. Its one of those lush pavlovian dog things. Well, I think running is kind of the same way. Every time I run the course I that I used to run while training for the marathon, it reminds me of that mental & physical space I was in and all those places along the way I ran to get me to that space.

So while I was really running along the river by the west side highway running trail yesterday, it was almost as if I was running in all these interesting places that I've been to and ran around in the past. First stop Paris. From Champs Ellysee through the Tuilleries, cross over the Place De La Concorde to the the Louvre, over to Palais Royale and then back over to the Seine. End up back down the Champs Elyssee and of course, I couldn't resist being that ugly American who does my best Rocky Balboa impression walking through the Arc de Triumphe. I could feel it, taste it, smell it, breathe it. It was like I was back in time of that amazing business trip where I set out to run and see all of Paris. It brought back the running, the cafe au lait, the chocolat crossaints, the daraude at restaraunt l'auguste, etc.

Running is a time machine. It takes me back to the places, sights, sounds feelings and emotions that I want to remember. It also takes me to where I want to go. Running is less about the end-destination but the journey along the way. I cherish those times running through Paris, or through the canyons of Moab, Utah or along a lazy river road in Sun Valley, Idaho. Across the mansions along the ocean at Newport. It also takes me to where I want to go. It empowers me to do, see, or be whatever I want to be. I like that about running.

"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts."

That's what Steve Prefontaine said. Run to see who has the most guts. I need to see how much guts I have. I've been off the road for a while now. I need some guts to get back out there. I intended on going out today, but the wife had to fly out to Toronto this morning for a meeting and I had to take care of Luke this morning.

So my goal for tomorrow....

To find some guts.

To pull myself off the couch and to hit the pavement.

I must pump up the running stroller...

That's what I've been saying to myself for the past few weeks. Between the demands of work and the precious little downtime I have with my 8-month old child (Luke), my time to run is limited. The last time I did it, it was tough. Partially because I haven't run in quite some time, but also b/c the running stroller tires were flat. So navigating was tough. So...I must pump up the baby stroller. Which is also slightly a metaphor for pumping me up. I need to run. I need to hit the pavement and feel the wind on my neck. I need to release some energy & declare my proverbial barbaric yawp. I want to listen to music and watch my kid looking straight back at me while I run. I want to feel high and good and sweaty and accomplished and strong. I don't want to be depressed that another day went by without running. Because the more I run, the stronger I am. Both mentally and physically. The stronger I am the better I am. At work. With my family. I want to be the energizer bunny. So I have to run.

So hopefully the next time I write in my little blog I will have pumped up the running stroller.