Amy’s Sunday run: 4.8 miles with Bridget and Gina. To White House, on the Mall, to the Lincoln Memorial & back to Dupont with a cool down through the farmer’s market. Monday: travel from 7:30am to 5pm (silly snow & driving), default rest day.
Under other circumstances (for example: being alone), I would have churned out 3.5 miles and called it a day. Sunday was my lucky day. Actually any day I get to run with friends, I consider a lucky day. Gina, another friend from my AmeriCorps days, joined Bridget and me on our usual [2 weeks :) ] Sunday run. Layered up and ready to brave the cold, we set out into the blustery, yet sunny outdoors.
The miles just tick by when we’re catching up on our weeks, talking about goals, aspirations, and challenges that lie ahead. Ok, let’s be honest, they don’t “just tick by” … but at least there is company & the gasping for breath is broken up by bits and pieces of conversation. And, I never end a run without a nugget of wisdom to take with me.
I found out that Gina has a blog where she documents her life as a professional educator in a high-needs school. She tries to find what works, what doesn’t and how to keep the magic alive. Through the blog, she hopes to be “just a bit more like Lance Armstrong, building [her] stamina and honing [her] practice.” It’s insightful, witty and thoughtful (just like Gina!), so check it out especially if you want to see what kids are giving teachers for holiday presents.
Gina, Bridget and I talked about the risk associated with writing and “publishing” (even if it’s to a blog that our friends and family read … thanks, everyone … all 7 of you!) the material. I’ve felt a sense of fighting my inner demons who want to tell me all of the horrible things I don’t want to happen: “you can’t do it,” “you won’t be able to run 1,000 miles,” “you’re lazy.” And, each day, each post, each run helps me overcome that “can’t do” voice.
Bridget commented on my “Easing in to My Thousand Mile Year” post:
“I like this post, especially your last question. I’m not much of a risk taker and often find myself thinking about risks in a negative way, so sharing them other people is intimidating. Good food for thought.”
In my year of 1,000 miles, I hope to provide a safe place on the open road for myself and others to talk about their fears, make plans to overcome, try, succeed and celebrate, fail and pick each other back up again to take on the next risk head on.
