I can RUN?

Running is my new favorite thing to do. I never EVER in my life thought I would
be the kind of person that looks forward to running on a cold February morning--
no one who knows me would think this could be something I enjoy-- but I do! I
have a new, crazy mania for running around Philadelphia.

Yesterday was fantastic. I started out around 8:30am, walked a few blocks,
proceeded to run up Broad Street, and then up the Ben Franklin Parkway. I
didn't see a whole lot of other people running; in fact, I saw less than I had on
more random runs by Independence Hall or up Front Street. However, once I
hit the Art Museum, it was like the world of fitness enthusiasts opened before
me-- EVERYONE WAS THERE! Big mobs of jogging club-ers, 2-by-2 college
teams, bikers, rowers on the river, and serious-looking, solitary loners like me.
Not that I look serious... in my H&M hoodie, I look more like a pile of rags
compared to the people in their super-tech running gear.

Just being among these fitness-minded people was incredibly inspiring. Taken
together with the music on my iPod, the quietness of the early morning, the
comfort of the cool air (imagine feeling hot in the winter! That's benefit enough
for me)... I don't think I had a runner's high, but I felt great. So I kept going. I
ran and ran, and then I had to turn around and run home.

All told, I was out for about an hour and a half. I probably ran for all but 15
minutes of that time. And I don't run fast... but it was a lot for me.

Then I taught an LSAT class for 3 hours. Standing. In high-heeled boots.

When I got home, I could hardly walk. My legs felt like lead, and my labored
effort to get around made me think of the difficulty of walking up a snowy hill
with skis on. It was GREAT! I felt lighthearted and physically exhausted, and
enjoyed laughing at myself when I could barely make it to the top of the stairs
at night.

I never understood why anyone would enjoy running, but now I do. Isn't that
the most amazing thing, really-- to find yourself understanding what you never
imagined you would. It happens to me more and more as I get older, and I find
it very reassuring.

Posted by jvoris at February 18, 2008 11:03 AM