Running...

Someone told me today that our bodies are not meant to run. She heard it from her doctor. "Don't run unless you are being chased" she claims he said.
Well, I used to hate running. Hate it with a passion. I still am not totally fond of it unless I am on the treadmill and have my ipod plugged into my ears, but I do it.

And oh, the ipod! I have a "workout" playlist. Each song carefully chosen and orchestrated to play at just the right time. Good walking tunes in the beginning, ease into the running with a little bit faster paced song... then crank it up to fast fast running to White Stripes. Luckily, that song is pretty short and I can slow back down just enough to catch my breath, wipe the drippy sweat away from my eyes and have a good fast jog... then back to slower music for a brisk walk, then down down down till I am feeling energized and don't want to stop walking.
This is my work out... each and every time.

Yesterday, I had the best run ever! I mean it! Ever! And that is saying a LOT for sure.
This super skinny girl got on the treadmill beside me about the same time I started...she was beautiful. Not a hair out of place, super cute, and ready to run.
Usually I don't even pay attention to people around me, but for some reason, I did this time.
We both started walking... tunes blaring in my ears... and then the run. Funny how she started running the same time I did. I noticed at one point, that even though her legs are WAY longer than mine, we were keeping the pace pretty well. Wow. Running became fun, like a little game to see how well I could keep up. It was comforting in a strange way, to have someone match steps with me. Then the White Stripes came on and I cranked up the speed, preparing myself for our pace to be off. But she quickly upped the speed and joined along. We were running buddies, pace pals. I was having such a nice run that I even played that White Stripes song again, so I could really run faster, harder, get that energy going (continue to keep up with her). When I couldn't take it any longer, I slowed down back to the jog and watched to see if our feet would continue to move at the same pace. It took a bit of coordination, but we got there. Once again, step by step, we were together again. Amazing.
She ran long after I slowed down to a walk again, but it was fun while it lasted. We never had to say a word to each other. We just kept the pace and kept each other on task. I wondered how crazy it would sound to thank her, for being my running partner that day. I got to think about other things, and got the best run of my life. But I didn't. Call me a chicken.

As this school year is ending, I have been talking to teachers lately who are already making lists of things they need to change for next year. I don't have the energy to plan for next year quite yet. I am still getting over the run of this year.
It has been crazy busy! I have been going to graduate school, learning a new job, trying to fit in in a new school, trying to be a pirate, trying to be a friend, trying to keep up. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes I feel like I fell flat on my face.
The thing that I love though, is that no matter what...no matter the pace I set, BT has always been my running partner. No matter what, he could keep up with me. He matched me step by step. Sometimes the music in our lives got so crazy and so loud and so strong, that I thought I would never catch my breath... and there was BT running along beside me.

I didn't get a chance to thank that girl for being my running partner, but I will thank my life running partner. Thanks for keeping up with me. Thanks for being beside me. Thanks for being there.

NEW SHOESSSSSSSS!!!!

Look at my new cool converse!!! Flowers! Butterflies!!! Pink Trim!
The only thing better would be if they were open toed so I could show off my cutie cute pink polka dotted toe nails.
But here is the kicker... they were in the MENS section of the store... uh, ok.