Before I found out I was pregnant, I signed up to run a 10 miler. I trained pretty well in January and half of February, but most of March has been a bust. Last week I ran around 3 miles no sweat, so I think that if I can run 7 miles before the race date I can go for the long distance. That and if I keep a slow pace (10 min miles) for the first 6-7 miles, i can run 15 min miles for the last three miles. At least that is my goal. Turns out I can also downgrade to the 4/5 mile race the day before. That might be my better option. Oh boy, I've got a lot of work to do ahead of me.
I love running. I didn't always love it, but now I do. Running to me is one of God's good gifts. To quote Eric Liddel, it is a way we can feel God's pleasure upon us. He gave us a marvelous body that can do incredible things. When we make it feel incredible, through exercise and care, it makes us feel pretty great, too. Call it a runner's high, but when I am out there pounding pavement there is a great serenity and unity within my heart, mind, body and soul. Our bodies were created to run, work hard, have all the muscles moving at once; and it is truly glorious when it happens.
Working out is extremely good for my soul. I think it has to do with the whole spirit, mind, body connect. We are meant to be physical creatures and so not only do we need to take care of ourselves mentally and spiritually, but physically as well. The body is a temple, and to keep it all in good and right order, it needs to be exercised, well and fully, in my humble opinion.My muscles love a good challenge and so does my heart, my head, and my soul.
Plus, the body is a terrible thing to waste. It can do so much! Just look at our fascination with sports and the Olympics. Bodies are able to wonderful things and they are not outside of the common man's grasp. I believe all people should have some sort of physical activity that they enjoy, to keep them sharp and keep them healthy. So much so, if I ever ran for political office, it would be part of my politically unpalatable platform- do you know how much we could save in health care if people ate right and exercised properly and regularly? Billions, maybe trillions. less heart attacks, cholesterol pills, type 2 diabetes, stronger bodies for fighting diseases... the list goes on.I think that everyone should be able to experience endorphins that really do make your body feel awesome, in moderation of course.
Oh gosh, when I run, I feel like I getting to take part in some action or some primal rite and ritual. I am not a big sports fan because I would rather play the sport than watch it on television. Same thing with books and movies- would much rather be part of the action, then watch other people do cool things. Granted, it's not fighting a bad guy or running away from evil monsters, but the adrenaline is still there, I am still having to work like the hunter gatherers of yesteryear who only had their bodies for transportation. And if I had in one of the aforementioned situations, you bet I'd be thankful for the hours and miles I put in to keep my body fit and fast.
Not that I am that fast pregnant, but still pretty pleased I am in decent shape. Can easily run 5 miles if pushed... not so sure about 10, but if I train, I'll get there.
But who finds time to do long runs with a 18 month old? Not I...
PS It is also how I connect with nature. No headphones for me. I hear the birds, the bees, the sounds of the street that connect with place. Places have souls, according to Terry Pratchett and Walker Percy (two totally different types of writers: fantasy and a successor to Faulkner, respectively). And when I run I listen to the soul of city or place I am running in. And that gives me peace, joy, faith. It's great. At peace with my body, at peace with my soul, at peace with nature, at peace with God. That is what I find when I run.
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