Running: A Love Story

For Amanda, running partner extraordinaire.  Thank you for getting the group together before I left. It was a perfect evening. When are we getting together in June? :)
So now that I am beginning to hit a groove here and also kind of because they make me lock up my crap at the gym and I didnt have a lock, I decided to go for a run. It had been raining all morning and it stopped so I hopped over to the big green park nearby at the canal (I had only been there before with all 3 kids in tow by myself and I thought it was MILES away but I realized its actually quite close). Its always packed but today I was the only one there.
I missed Kristin and Rachel U. so much on this run (but not their gazelle legs and their ridiculous pace) because I know they would have looked at the radar before the run and told me it was going to rain and I wouldnt have been stuck in 50 degree, windy, blowing rain! I even took the picture of the dark clouds on the way there and was still somehow surprised it rained on me. I need you girls. There were steps to get to the street level and I thought how if Katy were here she would make us run those steps!
Running with my running group (Kristin, the Rachels (U., C. and M.), Amanda, Jill, Cary, Katy, Tabby, Lindsey, Brandy, Amie, Polly) and my running buddies (Elissa, C'Ann, Brynlee and Marlena) and my running idols, Janet T.  and Judy C. have been one my biggest blessings during this season of my life. I know I forgot someone and I already feel bad about it. Running has been my life line on the days and weeks where Curtis works non stop for days on end and I have had not had any relief from the 24/7 hour care of 3 small boys all by my lonesome. Running with my girls has strengthened friendships I already had and some of my favorite people I met through running. Running has taught me I can do a lot more than I ever thought I could. Running has taught me things are hard before they get easy, but stick with it and will get easy. Running is my alone time, my time with God or my time with friends. It can be whatever you need it to be. Running is my therapy,  my anxiety medication. Running has taught me I don't have to be first and it's ok to be last and it does not reduce my worth in any way. Running takes me outside and let's me enjoy the beauty that is God's creation. Running let's me stop mid run and catch up with friends that I run into (I'm looking you Welches and Groffs). I love running and somedays I even love how much I hate it. Running makes for some pretty hilarious stories and even some videos! Running is fun. Running with fun girls is life changing.
Today's run was wet and cold. I decided since I was dressed and there already and already wet, might as well run. A bad run is better than no run and today I remembered a running group is better than no running group. I thought about each one of you while Brad Paisley and I worked it out on the trail today. I wish each of you were here to run with me!