The Sounds of Commitment

Running sucks! Awwwhhh… it’s 38 degrees outside!! Gawhhh! I hate the cold! It’ll be okay after about 15 minutes… after I’ve warmed up… Oh… But that first 15 minutes is SO painful. Screw it. I’m just going to stay inside and do the P90X video instead. Isn’t that working out, too? But the Shamrock Shuffle is coming up and that’s an 8K, and I’d really like to run the whole thing, especially since I already ran a 10K in DC in October and so I know what I need to do to train… Just put on another jacket and get your butt outside… okay, okay, okay… gotta stop in the bathroom real quick… where are my darn gloves… gloves, gloves… Gloves? Really, I’m going to run with gloves on?? Hhhhawhhh… Okay, gloves on, oooo, I’d better get a hat. Why don’t I just put a parka on while I’m at it!!?... Okay, okay… keys… door locked, oh, this sucks, it’s cold out – go faster - get warm fast. Watch out for the ice on the bridge.. Oh look!... the sanitary canal is still iced over... such a lovely day in March in Chicago… When the kids are out of the house, we are SOOOOO outta here, moving to San Diego… or Panama, or Bali – somewhere warm all year… Okay, I’m getting warm now… Oh Look! Another runner. Crazy girl is in shorts?!! Whataryanuts?? “Hi” ...crazy girl. I guess when you’re twenty your nerve endings don’t go all the way to your skin yet… Oh, here’s a guy runner – dressed properly… “Hello” Okay, just breathe for a while…

The lake looks beautiful… kinda lonely-gray and rumbly…

“Good morning” Walker. Walking’s good. Gotta get those Wellness Walks going in April again, they were fun. Such nice people around here. Good, open-minded people. Easy to talk to and work with. I have to remember to tell Andy that I heard him on NPR the other day. It’s so great that I know law professors! And they speak on public radio and write books! Should have those guys over for Indian since his wife turned me on to the cookbook. How fun is my life!!???

Oh look! It’s my turn around!! Okay! Half way! Not too shabby. I will need to do this more for the next month or so so I can run the 8K. Maybe if I plan in one long run a week, one yoga or P90X session, the regular Tae Quon Do with Leo on Saturdays… that should work, and if I get in another short run during the week, yep, that should work... Great!…

Hey!... Look at that! The robins are back! Hello little robin, what do you know that Mother Nature hasn’t figured out yet?... Huh! Maybe spring really is on its way. “Hi” Dog walker… cute dog… Lucas still wants a dog… and an X-Box… get used to disappointment, kid. Gosh my kids are great! Beautiful, beautiful kids… if I can just get Leo to settle down a bit during school… Really he needs to get out and move more. He’s my gamer, my coach potato… he liked rock climbing at the gym, though, gotta get him in a class…

Just breathe…

Okay! Here’s the bridge again… “Hi” That guy had his ear buds in, but I saw him smile. Just breathe…

There’s my house – don’t stop – just breathe…

Run to the tree in front like always… okay, okay, okay, okay, okay… whew! Did it. Keys? Keys, lock, jacket off… whew! I feel great now!… That was great! That route is about two miles, I think… Running’s great!!!