How to save a life...

Yesterday, I (kind of) had an epiphany.


I had just arrived home from my friend Charlie's wedding weekend and it was hot. 


It was hot and humid. 
It was hot and humid and I was dehydrated. 
It was hot and humid and I was dehydrated and tired.


During my run, I thought back to high school softball. I loved softball and let's be honest, I was a beast. 


Then I thought back to Mr. Barile, my coach. This man did not accept excuses. Ever. On days very similar to yesterday, he used to make me block balls that he shot at the ground using a pitching machine. Hot, sweaty and with dirt in my eyes and mouth, I did not complain. I knew if I did, I would have been out there twice as long. I can still remember him yelling over the din of the machine, "This builds character, Jessie! Just grit your teeth and do it!"


Why couldn't I look at going for a run like going to practice? If I had ever decided not to go to softball practice because I was "tired" or "it's hot", Barile would have crucified me and then cut me from the team. I work 8 hours a day - so what? I went to school for 8 hours a day and then still had to either practice for 2 hours or play a game for longer.


I'm glad I can call out my excuses when they come. Some days will be harder than others but a run is a run, no matter how small.

J




PS. I went for a run at work today.

Hey, Jealousy

I just looked at the date of my last blog post...Feb 22nd! For shame.


This weekend a strange phenomenon happened. Charles and I were out taking Sadie for a walk when I saw two people going for a run together. I was then filled with the strangest emotion: Jealousy. For the first time in my entire life, I was jealous of runners. I thought back to two summers ago when I went for a run every lunch at Hesser and how easy it seemed. I thought back to how fantastic running every day made me feel. 


Sometimes I feel like I make exercising seem harder that it really is. It's taken some hard introspection, but I realized that I am indeed an excuse-maker. It's something I am working on.

Today I went for my first long run in a while and it felt great. I just need to remember two things: 1) The feeling I get after a run and 2) It's not as hard as I think it is.


Until Tomorrow,
J