Running

I hate running. When I did run I was a sprinter. I sprinted because that's what kids do naturally and I had long legs so I was often faster than the other neighborhood kids. I also sprinted because I'm usually late and it helped me get somewhere faster. I started to hate running when doing it involved training and practice. Blah. Too much work. I don't like physical discomfort. I'll just walk. Although when no one's looking, or sometimes when they are, I still run in the hallways at school. It's fun.

My husband has run a few 10Ks while deployed. He's a runner. An endurance runner.

Luckily, my dog is the kind of runner I am. He runs to celebrate freedom, to chase squirrels or bunnies, or to have fun. So this summer we've secretly been running together. We can only go early in the morning when Lizzie is still sleeping and the neighborhood is free of witnesses. We sneak out and run laps in the cul-de-sac. We've done this about 6 times because its only when we feel like it. We're teaching each other how to jog. Sometimes he stops to pee and almost rips my arm off. That's okay because its an excuse to stop and catch my breath. I think the most we've done is 4 laps in our tiny cul-de-sac. I'm not really concerned about increasing that. It gives us just enough time to enjoy the morning, wake up, and get our blood flowing.

Do I like running now? Nope. Will I push myself harder someday? Probably not. I'll never sign up for any kind of distance run. I'll also never sign up for another deployment. But sometimes it helps to what if. So I do a few laps physically and mentally. It can't hurt.