Profound running post

Or not.

After running a half-marathon on Sunday, I know I thought I was going to write a profound post. I know I intended to. I think I even had it planned out.

But it’s gone.

Just gone. From my head. From my thoughts. I think it linked back to writing and life, but I can’t remember why.

Perhaps this is because the entire 21.1K (whoops, I originally typed 2.11K, which is funny, because a man was holding a sign by the side of the course that said “When I signed up, I thought it was 2.11K!” Ha! Funny!) – anyway, the entire 21.1K, passed in a kind of haze of euphoria.

Not that I’m going to discuss my past and mind-altering substances, but if there ever was a time when I did know what it was like to be under the influence of mind-altering substances, this run (I imagine) would be very much like that – except with no crashing after; just a continued haze of feeling good and happiness.

And maybe that’s it. Maybe I just wanted to say that I texted a friend the night before (Hi Claire!) and said “I’m going to try to enjoy every K” and that became my mantra, and I did enjoy every K. Every single one. It was all fun. And maybe I felt like there was a writing and / or life lesson in there.

I think, also, I came to a realization that I am a really, really simple person. I love the simplicity of running. Of putting on the least possible amount of clothing (although, lemme tell you, waiting in the corral at eleven degrees, I spent a few goosebumped minutes questioning that strategy) and making sure nothing’s new, so it rubs, and that my shoes are snug-but-not-too-tight, and just running, with my footsteps and my breathing to set the pace for me.

Which is why I can’t believe I never swam before, or thought I would like swimming. What was wrong with me? I mean, maybe in a different country, but here, in Canada, we can swim anywhere. And, yeah, sure you can buy (and I need to buy) fins, and pull-buoys, and other swimming aids. And I really prefer to have a swim cap and goggles, just so my hair stays out of my face and I can – kind of – see. But, really, a swimsuit (if you’re in public) and some water, and you’re good to go.

(And, yes, a very good question in all this is why do I like riding so much because – I mean – what could be more complicated / equipment intensive, etc. than riding? But I’ve always known it, and done it, so I guess breeches, and half-chaps, and paddock boots, and cross-country vests, and martingales, and breastplates, and cruppers, and dropped nosebands, and twelve different kinds of horse boots, and polos, and coolers, and quarter sheets … you see where I’m going with this …. anyway, they all seem normal to me.)

So, that’s it, that’s all for my running post. Nothing more profound. No way to circle back and make a point. Other than to say, I’ve recently been googling 30K races – because, I guess, if you’re going to enjoy every K, more Ks are better …