Finally, it's 5:30 p.m. This is my favorite time of day. A breeze brings relief from the sweltering heat of the day. People are out and about in my neighborhood walking dogs, biking, gardening. It's peaceful. The blue and orange tint of the sky is beautiful; this is my favorite time to run.
I slip into my favorite sports bra and a tank top, pairing them with some black sweat pants. I notice a hole in my sock as my foot slides into my favorite silver and pink Mizuno sneakers. It’s going to be a good run today.
I unplug my IPod and put on my "You can do it” mix. I like to name my playlists motivating phrases to help push me through the run. The music is what keeps me going. I need it. There is no way I could go the next 40 minutes without it.
I jump around in my driveway to get the muscles warm, and start down the sidewalk at a slow pace. The first mile is always the easiest. I take it nice and slow. Back straight, as I kick each leg forward while keeping my stomach tight.My feet hit the ground heel-toe, heel-toe. The bumps and cracks in the road seem fewer today.
Keeping my pace, I hum to the tune of Rihanna’s “Please don’t stop the music.” Although I’m thinking please don’t stop the rhythm. I think my rhythm is a helps me connect with the run, it keeps me going. My run can seem effortless if I can get the right rhythm.
“Mile one” my IPod tells me, I take a deep breath and step up the pace. I know I can’t keep that warm up pace if I want to make eight-minute miles today.By now my legs are feeling warm and a bit sore. It’s a good sore though, not aching but working. I am tired but the music keeps my spirits up and I press on.
I hear the muffled sound of a honk through my earphones. The stares get old; some people practically hang out their windows. I just think, "What, have they never seen a girl running before?" It's odd.
Running for me relieves the stress of the day. I can breathe and let go, clear my head. Out here I'm in my own world, it's just me, the road and my tunes.I hit a light; I hate that blinking hand. I press the button a few times, as I jog in place. I always feel kind of silly but I need to keep my legs warm. It's been 15 minutes but it feels like forever, when is she going to tell me I'm at two miles, I wonder.
I cross the street, a song later I hear her say, "two miles." Another deep breathe, only two more to go.
The sweat drips from my head and I wipe it as it gets close to my eyes. My thighs are burning now but that doesn't bother me as much as my shins. Running outdoors is not like running on a treadmill. The dips, bumps and obstacles on the road are often the source of my shin pain. Not to mention, I have to factor in wind and maintain my pace all the while keeping form. Talk about multi-tasking.
"Three miles." Wow, that was fast. I feel good now; I've pushed through the pain and kept my pace. Oh! My favorite song, yes! Alright, last mile, finish strong.I sing along and change up the rhythm of my feet to match the melody of the song.
I'm getting excited as I turn the corner knowing I am almost done. It’s been 30 minutes, I scroll to a four-minute song. This is it.
Seeing my house always brings a smile to my face, even if I'm dying, I know I've made it. Yes, four miles, I think as I bring my run to a slow jog. I jog around the block to get my heart rate down then walk a few last minutes. Those deep breathes feel so good. I'm soaked with sweat, but I feel good.
I stretch and sigh with relief knowing I did it. I'm looking forward to a few days from now; I think I'll try six miles next time.
I slip into my favorite sports bra and a tank top, pairing them with some black sweat pants. I notice a hole in my sock as my foot slides into my favorite silver and pink Mizuno sneakers. It’s going to be a good run today.
I unplug my IPod and put on my "You can do it” mix. I like to name my playlists motivating phrases to help push me through the run. The music is what keeps me going. I need it. There is no way I could go the next 40 minutes without it.
I jump around in my driveway to get the muscles warm, and start down the sidewalk at a slow pace. The first mile is always the easiest. I take it nice and slow. Back straight, as I kick each leg forward while keeping my stomach tight.My feet hit the ground heel-toe, heel-toe. The bumps and cracks in the road seem fewer today.
Keeping my pace, I hum to the tune of Rihanna’s “Please don’t stop the music.” Although I’m thinking please don’t stop the rhythm. I think my rhythm is a helps me connect with the run, it keeps me going. My run can seem effortless if I can get the right rhythm.
“Mile one” my IPod tells me, I take a deep breath and step up the pace. I know I can’t keep that warm up pace if I want to make eight-minute miles today.By now my legs are feeling warm and a bit sore. It’s a good sore though, not aching but working. I am tired but the music keeps my spirits up and I press on.
I hear the muffled sound of a honk through my earphones. The stares get old; some people practically hang out their windows. I just think, "What, have they never seen a girl running before?" It's odd.
Running for me relieves the stress of the day. I can breathe and let go, clear my head. Out here I'm in my own world, it's just me, the road and my tunes.I hit a light; I hate that blinking hand. I press the button a few times, as I jog in place. I always feel kind of silly but I need to keep my legs warm. It's been 15 minutes but it feels like forever, when is she going to tell me I'm at two miles, I wonder.
I cross the street, a song later I hear her say, "two miles." Another deep breathe, only two more to go.
The sweat drips from my head and I wipe it as it gets close to my eyes. My thighs are burning now but that doesn't bother me as much as my shins. Running outdoors is not like running on a treadmill. The dips, bumps and obstacles on the road are often the source of my shin pain. Not to mention, I have to factor in wind and maintain my pace all the while keeping form. Talk about multi-tasking.
"Three miles." Wow, that was fast. I feel good now; I've pushed through the pain and kept my pace. Oh! My favorite song, yes! Alright, last mile, finish strong.I sing along and change up the rhythm of my feet to match the melody of the song.
I'm getting excited as I turn the corner knowing I am almost done. It’s been 30 minutes, I scroll to a four-minute song. This is it.Seeing my house always brings a smile to my face, even if I'm dying, I know I've made it. Yes, four miles, I think as I bring my run to a slow jog. I jog around the block to get my heart rate down then walk a few last minutes. Those deep breathes feel so good. I'm soaked with sweat, but I feel good.
I stretch and sigh with relief knowing I did it. I'm looking forward to a few days from now; I think I'll try six miles next time.
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