Today was one of those days I definitely needed a little more of an ass kicking to get out the door for a run (but, it was cold and icy!). Problem is, I am the only one here in the mornings, so I have to leave it up to myself to kick my own ass, which is tricky. This basically involves remembering I have a blog called Shut Up and Run and that I would be a total hypocrite if I didn’t stop bitching and start running.
Turns out this was one of those glorious runs where everything fell into place. I’ve usually pick a couple of things (no more than 2) to work on while I run. Lately it’s been keeping my cadence swift and light, right at about 180 steps per minute. I was nailing that one today, if I must say so myself. I have also been working on proper alignment (a la Chi Running) and today my body felt good and like I might actually be running with half decent form. This was nice because only a couple of days ago, I was looking more like the girl in the yellow jacket (is she related to Honey Boo Boo?).
One of the things I love about running is there are always surprises. Weird smells, strange people, gorgeous sunrises/sunsets, unexpected farts. Today was no exception. Remember in yesterday’s post when I joked about finding nickels while running? I can’t say for sure I ever really have found a nickel while running, I just picked that coin because it was the first that came to mind. Well, you guessed it, today I found this at mile 5:
WEIRD (cue Twilight Zone music). The nickel’s from 1970, when I was 3 years old. I was a bit cuter then, but I still had the same damn long second Morton’s toe (do not be jealous of our velour couch).
Another most excellent thing happened on this run (it was not that I ran pretty fast because I had to poop, but that was definitely the case). I was cruising along, listening to random tunes on my iPod. Sometimes I do this thing where I let iTunes do a “genius mix” where it just picks stuff from our library and I never know what will be on there.
A song started and I seriously busted a gut, the hugest smile on my face. I hadn’t heard this song in a long time it made me so stinking happy. Two years go, when my son, Sam was 13, he was bored one day and wrote a crazy song using Garage Band. I know he is my son and we all can be annoying about thinking our kids are the best, but you seriously have to hear a few lines (this little video is lyrics only):
You cannot tell me you didn’t smile. I love the part where he sings, “…she had the body of a tom cat!” (about 1:10) Where does he get this stuff? (answer: his mother).
So, just like we all know, you never ever regret a run (unless you are injured and you are stupid and you run and you hurt yourself worse – guilty!). So, if you are debating getting out there, just kick your own ass ever so gently and get out the damn door.
Ah, one more thing. In case you want to see the goofiest pictures of me ever and learn about my new boyfriend, Alex, head over to Livestrong where I did a review of the new Nike + Kinect Training Program (for Xbox 360). Review can be found HERE.
Do you have a Kinect? How do you like it? We just got his one when I did the review. The kids and I have actually had a really fun time with it (the Just Dance games are hilarious).
Do you pick things to work on while you run (form, breathing, etc:)?
Ever find anything interesting on a run? One time I found a man standing and peeing in the middle of the road while he stared me down. Good times.
SUAR
