I started my 5 miler this morning in a stinkin’ foul mood.  My 6am running buddy bailed on me so I had to re-jigger my schedule so I could run when it was kind of dark instead of pitch black, my kids were the Bickerson’s and I had a few frantic minutes where I thought I lost my iPod.   Many times I run without music but today I really needed the distraction that only Eminem can provide.  Besides, I hadn’t heard enough “eff” words this week. 

My pace started out more of a slog and my run just sucked.  I thought of how long I had run, how slow I was, how to shorten my 5 miler to a 3 miler.  I stopped at a mile in to tie my shoes, which is what I do when I need to take a break and regroup.  I walked a minute or so and started up again.

Then the magic happened.   Slowly, but it happened nonetheless.  The more I ran, the harder I pushed up the hill the better I began to feel.  My cranky, growly, pre-run self was fading and I started to work out some things that had been on my mind.   My running became smoother, my pace quickened and I started to enjoy my run.

I added an extra loop to make the full 5 miles and I finished feeling strong and more importantly, in great spirits.

And that, boys and girls, is why running rocks!

Now go run!

Keli