RELEASE!

Today I realized something.  I've been running indoors since the beginning of December.  Last year, I rarely ran inside.  A series of dangerous windchill days (such as -45F), a new schedule with 4:30 a.m. wake up calls for 5:00 a.m. gym sessions (alternating days with Rob to keep the motivation going), and lots of black ice on the roads have all contributed to my lily-livered running.  However, the marathon schedule waits for no one.

Today, the realization hit that my long run next week is 9 miles.  That is equivalent to 54 laps around the track at the gym.  Gross.  So, I laced 'em up and headed out the front door for my first winter run in awhile.  It was cold, and the added layers of clothing weighed me down, but it felt great.  My lungs got to expand with the cold air.  The ice fishermen and I exchanged hellos as I passed the boat launch (three times).  It was a great release after many indoor only days.  I even got to wear my old favorite shoes (trying to keep the newer ones clean for awhile).  Today felt old school.  Winter isn't so bad.

Trust: A One-Way Street

I've been thinking about my last post (over two months ago).  It started when I was trying to come up with some comfort to work my way out of the downward spiral I sometimes get started in my brain when things go wrong one by one throughout the day.  I finally decided that it all comes down to trust.  That and the conclusions below:

One:  Worrying about something doesn't help (but it CAN make things worse).

Two:  Keep moving forward.  It's a good way to leave the worries behind.  It's also a good way to find new and better distractions (like running, knitting, chocolate, wine, family, books, nature, work, friendships, sports, movies, cleaning.......and the list goes on and on)

Three:  Life is too damn short to fret (and to worry about what others think and to "what if" myself to death).

Four:  Looking on the bright side is best (for ME and my peace of mind and for my kids to see as a better way to live.....NOTE:  There is ALWAYS a bright side, Pollyanna).

Five:  I hate it when the cliches prove to be true, but it really does pay to put on my own air-mask in an emergency before trying to save the people around me.  Breathing is important.  (However, there are times when I have to put on my own air-mask QUICKLY to get to my loved ones who need me.)

And look at that.  I turned around the "cold finger of fear" into a beauty after taking a moment to find my center.  Life IS good.  And in order to live that life, I have to trust myself.  That is the one-way street variety of trust, because, when it comes down to the brass tacks, the trust has to come from within.


Now, please God, let me remember all this the next time I start that spiral.....