Tuesday, July 6, 2010

a fortunate runner ...

Yesterday, I ran a solo 13 miles. Something I don't often do. Solo runs are a rarity around here. I ran it alone by choice. I needed to prove to myself that I could run for two hours with nothing but me and my thoughts. That I can carry myself through the run. And I learned that I can. But that run taught me something else.

It taught me that I take running for granted. It has become this thing that is so ingrained in every aspect of my life, that I just expect it to be there. But I shouldn't be that way. Things can change. And I should appreciate how good things are now. I should appreciate the little things that running contributes to my life. The sanity. The strength, both mentally and physically. The freedom. The structure. The friendships. The really cute outfits.
And beyond that, I need to be more grateful for all of those in my life who make my running possible and those who make it enjoyable. I am fortunate to have a husband who understands and fully supports my running. He gives up his weekends so that I can travel to races. He gives up sleeping in so I can escape for early morning runs. He gives up his evenings with me because he knows that I am just too tired to stay up. He gives up eating what he wants, because I force him to eat what he should. He's a runner and he gets it. And I am thankful for that.

And I am thankful to have such an expansive group of runners in my life. Yes, I chose to run 13 miles by myself, but I didn't have to. I could have reached out to a number of people who would have been happy to join me. People who would have helped the miles fly by. And I should appreciate them more. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a training partner, nevertheless a group of runners from which to pull. I am fortunate. And I will no longer take it all for granted.

25 comments:

Jesser said...

I'm the exact opposite ... I almost always run by myself. I have a few good friends who run, but I run at such ridiculously early hours (4:45 AM) that most people aren't a BIT interested. So I run with my girlfriends later on the weekends and my husband whenever we get a chance. I like running by myself a lot, but my 7miler with my girlfriends this weekend (first time in a couple of months!) and I loved how the miles flew by while we gabbed. It was a real treat and I was so grateful!!

Unknown said...

Great Post...its nice to come to those realizations! I am glad you enjoyed your solo run!

abbi said...

great post and sounds like a great run!

Anonymous said...

That is a good reminder. I need to remember that kind of stuff too! Thanks Tonia :)

Marlene said...

That's a long way to run solo - especially on a week day! Sounds like it proved to be an enlightening run also. I should stop and appreciate my ability to run, my running buddies, my support network, etc. more often.

S Club Mama said...

My really long runs are not something I'm looking forward to. Big A & I can't run that long with the kids (they wouldn't have it nor would the timing work) so anything really over 3 miles is on my own...just me and the iPod. Luckily I have been listening to focus on the family podcasts - they help the time just fly by.

Tortuga_Runner said...

I love your thankful Tuesday, most of my miles are logged alone and I look forward to finding that core group of people to run with and am also thankful I have such a supportive husband.

misszippy said...

Well put. I am the same...I have such a fantastic group of running partners that it's easy to get spoiled. I did 16 solo on Saturday and while I missed my friends, it was also a nice time out there all by my lonesome. I think when you can go long alone it proves how much you love to run!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You have NO idea how timely this post is to me today.

You are truly blessed. I don't think you take your support for granted - having only met you once, I get the impression that you simply are not like that. But I can tell you that as hard as being a runner is it is made so much harder when you don't have those support systems going for you.
....I will return to my usual "my world is mostly rosey" image now. Didn't mean to be a Debbie Downer ;-)

Meredith said...

Love this post!!

Lindsay said...

Awesome post!!!! I loved this :)

Tricia said...

awesome, what a wonderful thing to be thankful for

Pining for Pinterest said...

Sounds like you have a great husband :)

Unknown said...

Nice post Tonia :)
I do 99% of my runs alone and wish that my hubbies knee would mend so he could get back out there with me.
I enjoy the time with myself though and the last couple of runs my oldest has come along on his scooter :)

Keri said...

I just did this 2 weeks ago! A solo 13-miler. It was not exactly by choice but it was definitely good for me mentally...so true!

Unknown said...

I am always grateful for my time to run, whether it is at a race, solo or with the boys in tow.

In September, I felt especially grateful when I was dogging it at the end of a long run; I just didn't have the drive to push myself. Then, I saw a wheelchair athlete on his training run going in the opposite direction; suddenly, my run seemed easy again. Gratitude for the things we have.

RunToTheFinish said...

this was a beautiful post!! I love it when I have days where it really hits home how lucky I am and how much I love running

Anabela (Bela) Neves said...

Great post! I wish I had others to run with.....its just me running ;)

Anonymous said...

I usually run by myself as well, but that's more because I'm slow and don't know many other runners. I ran for the very first time with someone a few weeks ago and was surprised by how enjoyable it actually was....now I wish I could run with him again, but he HATES running so I don't think that it will happen! :)

Melissa said...

You do have a great hubby! We should all be that fortunate!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Amen sister. Way to rock out the 13 miles, I CANT WAIT to run 13.1++ with you in a couple months is CUTE outfits.. HUGS!

Aimee said...

You are so lucky to have running buddies to run with! I wish I had other people to run with, especially on my long runs. I do all of my runs by myself, unless we have family in town to watch our boys. Then, my husband and I will go for a run together, which is awesome!

gba_gf said...

True.

~beautyandjoy~ said...

You are so lucky - but I have been, too, getting to be constantly inspired by your posts - thank you for being my virtual encouragement when I don't have many runner mama friends around me!

jamie@sweatyhugs said...

Love this post! I'm happy to see you have so much support behind your passion.