her first 5 miles!

a friend of mine has been DYING to go running with me and the opportunities for her to join me dwindle as my moving date approaches. i'm no running snob, i just enjoy the rare time in my day and in my life that i don't have to care about anyone else. i choose the distance, the time, and go at my own speed.

but she's been such a great support in recent events and has been doing so well in starting her own diet and exercise regimen, even claiming that i've been an inspiration in her efforts. so figured i'd suck up my own pride and fear of looking like a retard and run with the girl.

i sometimes get worried that if i invite people to races or to run with me, somehow that "aura" or great achievement that comes with my running will be demystified. or more simply, people will see how slowly i run or see how hard it can be for me and not think it's that big of a deal after all. maybe it has more to do with my little confidence as a "back of packer". and in running circles, while there are the speedy snobs, i think for the most part, people who run get it. and those who do not, to some extent don't.

it just occured to me that maybe it has to do with feeling that my "achievement" as a runner makes me feel better than the non-runners, and if they saw how even a person as slow as myself can do it, anyone can. and then really, if anyone can do it, what's so special about me doing it? especially as "poorly" as i do?

and now that i see all of that in black and white, it sounds so ludicrous. it's just as ludicrous as the people who say "ordinary" people who run 6 hours marathons just to cross them off their to do lists ruin the sport of running.

anyway, i've severely digressed from the beginning of my story. my friend was just happy to have the company and i was happy to share with her a new trail and an experience she's never had. i took her 5 miles, a distance she's never ever run. i had a huge ass grin on my face the entire time because it was one of those fall days just made for running. i'm really really proud of her.

this was the first quality run in a month. and if i could, i would have run for hours. it just felt soooo good. of course without the orthotics, my feet now hurt. but i had healed up enough to make it 5 miles, whereas a few weeks ago, i could barely walk. the orthotics come in this week...i am seriously going to have to restrain myself from bounding on the trails for hours, since i'm supposed to break them in. but it's nice to see the end of my convalencense and be on the road again...i've got a lot more trails to share with this girl before i go...