My sweet mother, who lives in a nursing home, often asks me what day it is. These days I have to stop and think about my answer. Unemployment has rendered my days vanilla. One day is about the same as another, although depending on what John and I have planned, weekends are sometimes distinguished by an earlier wake up call.
Exercise is also beginning to feel vanilla (it must be a state of mind). In effort to work on my limited swimming skills, I have been getting in my run on the gym treadmill (caged hamster on a wheel) because the pool is so easily accessible. Although this strategy saves time, I need a break. I start the treadmill thinking big miles but by mile 3, I am bored and thinking ahead to the swim so I shut the treadmill down and head to the pool. I do not enjoy the run or the swim.
This morning I decide to change my plan, activate a new strategy. I want to run out the anger and frustration that have been plaguing my days of unemployment and dragging me down. Today I decide no swim, no speed, no goals, just run. I lace up my shoes and head out the door. The sky is overcast, humidity 96% but it is cool and I can’t wait to see where my feet will take me.
I start with my usual route but quickly run out of the neighborhood toward the “big hill.” Just a month or so ago this hill would never have appeared on my running radar. Huff, puff, done! Around the mall road, my legs still feel good. Across the mall parking lot, so empty a couple of hours before opening. Then it is up the backside of the “big hill.” My legs start to complain but I have a nice, long downhill to look forward to and I love running downhill!
Back to the neighborhood and I check my watch. I have run 50 minutes, my legs are tired, the rain is threatening and I have a couple of hills left to climb. I think I can do it….I can do it. I open the front door as the sky opens and a heavy rain begins.
Run: 1.12.15 hours, maybe 6, definitely hilly miles!
