g o o d o n y e, g i r l 
Whenever I saw him I knew he would walk up to the treadmill and ask me how far I have gone. And he would know that at 30 minutes I still had a long way to go. I especially liked it when he'd come right after his training outside, also sweaty, also tired, and also feeling good about running. So even without saying, I would know that he thought I was doing a good job, that there was improvement (and there is still room for improvement), and he, knowing that I do it for myself, solely, would say in the most reassuring, red headed Irish way of his: "good on ye, girl!"  I liked the Gianna Powell article from January, but I haven't had much time to explore their archive. why not? 40 things you should know nutrition advice |
Below Murren, right below that immense wall of rocks was a trail for running, primarily perhaps for ski-running. The sun was shining, though the air was crisp, and the water in the brook was icy cold. I wish I could find a place like that to be there, day after day, every day, if possible. Two years ago I would have told you that I was no good for running. Now I think I could not live without it. The reasons are not too special. Once you get into it (even if you start very, very slow), there will come a point when you realize that it is better than - well, most things in life. Yet, the best thing about running (or, in fact, every good physical activity) is that it makes most everything in life better. I promise. These days, I run at least every other day. It is something I look forward to every time, something that provides instant achievement and real results in the long run, figuratively speaking. In the first five minutes my mind is full of thoughts from work, a chaotic, whirling state that I can do without. Then, as the rhythm sets in, things start to clear up. You deal with each thought, then you close the case, and by the time you have got through the worries of the day, about 20 minutes have passed. So, you are free. To run. To think about tomorrow. To think about today. The next ten to fifteen minutes are "right here and now". I could not describe it better. You run, you feel your body working, aware of your breathing and every step you take. Each of those steps takes you closer to your goal, and every heartbeat is for you. And I like it even though it is sometimes hard, even very hard. The body is not always responsive enough, but a tune will catch you and take you very far. This is probably the best time to turn any kind of anger into positive energy. Do stop for a while, walk a minute or two, drink some water and don't worry about the drops of sweat rolling down your shoulders. Then pick up the pace again, so that you feel like you have just started. Except, you are already free. Now, this is when he would come to me but normally he does not let me stop. It's only a couple of words we speak. Just what I need. Then I know there is still some time to go, and the best part of it is just beginning. At about 40-45 minutes into the run the body is loose. There is a surge of good feelings taking over. It's almost like flying. With bigger steps, with the rhythm set, the back straight, arms working, it is time to improve. So I run quicker for as long as I can to finish my 10 km's just to wind down with some minutes of walk.
There is another thing that noone can take away, as long as I am not locked up in a cage. I feel tired, but happy. This time, the times before and the times to come, it is my time, exclusively. Yes, I am going for a run today.
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