I think I could probably climb Mt. Kilimanjaro if I thought we were just going for a hike.
I’m not sure what it is with me, but when I have no objectives and no expectations, I seem to do much better in life. For example, this morning I met my best friend Doreen for a run while in Atlanta. I had no plan in mind, no idea if we were running 5 miles or 15 miles, or anything in between. I didn’t avoid margaritas, hydrate properly, or load up on carbs the night before. I didn’t set my alarm extra early to insure plenty of preparation time in the morning. I just rolled out of bed, shoveled a toaster waffle in my mouth on my way out the door, sat on the front steps of my friend Robyn's place (I'm staying with her while in town) to put my shoes on and strolled over to The River, Atlanta's popular run spot.
When I got there, she was already ready and waiting.
"Whassup?" I said with a smile.
"Mornin’", she said as we embraced in a big hello hug.
Time passed in a complete blur. We talked, caught up, cracked up, detoured down memory lane, shared corresponding stories, etc., and eventually wound our way back to our cars.
We ran for over 90 minutes.
You know the feeling when you see a great movie…you leave the theater kind of disoriented and wobbly, the light has extra glare and you feel like you have been in a wonderful time warp? I love that! That is exactly how I felt as I sat and stretched afterward. I was hungry and happy, having just spent 2 hours in a way that somehow felt like 10 minutes.
If I had planned a "long run" of almost 2 hours, I would have come home early the night before, rested well, hydrated properly, considered possible routes to accomplish our intended mileage, woken up early, packed my First Endurance Liquid Shot…all the things I would normally do. Yet I am not sure I could have had a better morning. Maybe this casual pace works best for me. Maybe I can go farther and enjoy more fully when I just go and let go, leaving the planner in me at home in bed.
After all, she needs her rest.
5 comments:
Sometimes the unplanned distance am long runs are the best. Actually, I like any run with someone who makes 2 hours seem like 10 minutes. Great run.
It's amazing what running with a good friend can do for the psyche. Glad you had a great connection and a fab run! Sometimes having no expectations and letting go produces the best result.
Oh I love those kind of runs! Good for you to just enjoy the moment!
I need to learn that whole "leave the planner at home" trick...I can't seem to shake her!
I had a similar run this weekend, only I was by myself... Does that make me weird?
And you could climb Kili, it really IS just a hike! ask Michele
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