Sometimes when I’m confused, writing helps me figure out what is going on in my head. After my mom said we should invite my lady runner friend (her name is Jo, I learned at the race she invited to) over for dinner, I had this very negative reaction. It came out of nowhere. Bam! Oh, I didn’t let on, I told my mom the invite is a great idea. She wanted to get all busy planning the menu and date right away, but I managed to mumble something about needing to work on a school project and scooted away.
Jo’s note to me.
So now I’m in my room, thinking and making a random list of my feelings. I’m not ashamed of my house or anything. And I really would like to get to know Jo better. I think I just want to do it on my own terms, at least at first. It’s like I don’t want to share her, not yet.
Because she makes me feel special.
I mean, I don’t own her, but running is something between us, just us.
Because maybe this could be my first adult friendship…..
…..which would be good because sometimes my friends at school drive me nuts.
Because I already share EVERYTHING with my family.
Because my wonderful mom will cross examine her because that’s just mom’s style.
Because she seems shy.
OK, and because I am shy and will probably clam up with my family and me all around her.
Because the questions I have for her are most probably not my family’s.
Because she invited just me to her house.
And the house looks like this.
And she told me to it was ok just to sit in the chair if she wasn’t there. I think she’s noticed I usually have something to read stuffed in my pocket, even when I run.
Because I want to figure out how to tell her that she’s inspired me, but without being geeky about it.
Because why she keeps running is something I think about a lot.
Because I want to listen to her.
Because my grandpa told me everybody has a story and each one is different.
Because I need to know the ways hers is unique.
Because I wrote her a poem.
A Theft
Photos in my World Culture book
A girl, my age, in a dusty land
Staring into the camera
So serious, so beautiful.
Did she think her soul would be lost?
Can you capture a little of another’s energy
With just a snapshot?
I think that’s what I was hoping
When I took your picture:
You were running along the bridge.
I had to get home for supper.
It was twilight and you looked as if
You could just keep running into the sky
So strong, so ethereal.
Did you feel me steal those few rays of your soul?
She finds time to do that last bit real regular.
After an extended period of self-pity and depression, I dug out my big girl pants. After I washed and ironed them, however, there remained one problem. I couldn’t get them on. It wasn’t that they didn’t fit, just that I could barely move my legs. Osteoarthritis, which usually develops gradually, had washed over me like a tsunami, taking out both hips within a year.
Over the past year, I’ve been cycling through the 5 stages of loss. [Kubler-Ross] They are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance.
Do you double or triple dip? No, not the kind involving chips that is socially taboo. I’m referring to running more than one race in a weekend. A lot of runners in the 50 States Club and Marathon Maniacs have been doing this for some time. You find two marathons geographically close and take care of two states with one trip. I’ve done this, e.g., Martian Marathon (MI) and Glass City (OH) one weekend, Breakers (RI) and Mystic (CN) on another, the Route 66 Marathon and the Oklahoma Marathon, both in Tulsa, because why not? With the help of some running friends and a plane ride, also managed Rocket City (AL) and Dallas White Rock (TX) one memorable December weekend .
Now, the marathon’s been replaced with a half marathon and an 8K. That’s the Ultra Challenge; there are other combinations for those looking for a bit less mileage. I’ve run the newer version the past couple years; it’s a major event here on the Gulf Coast. Attracting families, casual and serious runners, the GDC feels as if you’re in a movie: Runners Rule Tampa! There’s a Pirate Theme, and extra bling to those undertaking any of the advertised race combinations, including a jacket and additional medal. Check it here: 
In addition to running the marathon on Sunday, you run a 5K and 10K on Saturday (the 3-Way is the half on Sunday, so you seem to get 2 of the “4-Way” with the marathon distance). For the greedy, there’s the “4-Way w/ Extra Cheese,” involving a Mile run on Friday evening. See for yourself: 
My training plan so far is to delay tasting this unique dish until 
If running was scorned,
Perhaps you’ve given up a bad habit but still vividly recall your last cigarette, double scotch, trifecta bet or banana split.
When you say you love running, you create an immediate problem for yourself. Well, you do if make it a public statement. Chances are one of your non-running friends will–in the very near future–point out that she saw you running the other day and “you sure didn’t look like you were loving it!” A laugh that will no doubt sound somewhat snarky to you may follow her comment.
Instead of losing myself in the flow, I’m constantly monitoring my scratchy throat, or worst, that hamstring that seems to be ok but is letting me know we better stay in the slow lane if we know what’s good for us (and want to run tomorrow.) And of course, who hasn’t had one of those moments on an otherwise, until-then delightful run when your mind abruptly cuts to its index of public bathrooms/construction sites with porta potties?
When I can’t resolve or it or get past it, whatever IT is, the run can feel like a chore.
Slow it down to a walk, enjoy your surroundings, relax. Repeat until that voice is a whisper (or you find the bathroom.) As for the major stuff? Meditation, bubble baths, chocolate and seeing a professional are all good. And know that not all runs are easy; you don’t need to love every one to love the sport. Be open: tomorrow’s run may make you feel you can fly– and fall in love all over again.
A Grateful Life dotnet 