“I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.”
–Jesse Owens

Ok, I must admit, I haven’t ‘always loved running’ but I would say I have learned to love running….most of the time, anyways!  When I decide to train for a race, it is for any number of reasons.  Sometimes I will sign up for motivation to keep in shape or to beat a time (mine or someone else’s)  For this half marathon, though, it was because I genuinely wanted to run.  With this, I realize that in the past three or so years, I have become a runner.  Prior to this realization I would have never described myself as a runner, but rather someone who runs for a workout.  I think there is definitely a difference in these types of people.

So what made me a runner all of the sudden?  I think it is the yearning for a great run on a nice warm day (its a whooping 38 degrees in Minneapolis today!) and knowing that I can go and push myself as far as my body will take me (reason for the quote above).  Somedays are better than others…today a 5 mile run felt great though.  A little rough in the beginning, loosening up my joints and feeling my hips and thighs that were worked to the max in yoga last night.  But by a mile or so in, I was dodging ice patches like it was nobodies business and feeling great.  Although running in the winter in Minneapolis is not reliable in terms of weather, it makes me appreciate the bits of sunshine we get and the well plowed sidewalks that make a cold run a little easier.

All in all a great run, one where I finished feeling like I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.  Happy weekend!!!

oh! and sorry for the lack of pictures….I’ll work on it!!