Just Run

When I was growing up, sports involving balls were not my talent.

So, I joined track.

When I started as a freshman I guess I looked like a girl who had just graduated. She was an fantastic high jumper and hurdler. So the decision was made that I should do those events also. I went along with the plan. After a few weeks of continuous tripping, falling and face plants, a new plan was made.

My coach told me:

“Laura, Just Run”.

So for four years, three seasons a year, that is what I did.

I ran.

Running became a major part of my life. All my friends ran. All of my weekends were running meets.

Here is a little gift from the 80’s for ya!

I am second from the right. And yes, electric blue running tights were “in” in 1987.

When we would have a meet, our coach would gather us all together, get us ready for an inspirational speech.

And all he would say is, “Run” and then he would walk away.

I will admit, his technique really annoyed me. Where was my inspiration, my strategy, the plan?

College hit, I stopped running competitively and as a result, pretty much stopped running.

Over the last 10 years I have started up running many times. I have been plagued by knee injuries, cold weather and lack of motivation and have not stuck with it.

But, I have still missed it. So, I would head out again, overdue it, get frustrated and stop again.

One morning this summer I was all dressed for a class at the gym, but something came up and I couldn’t make it. So, I decided I was already dressed, I would run.

And for the first time ever, I just ran.

I did not time myself, I didn’t feel the need to go 3 miles, I just ran a little bit, turned around and headed home.

I did that for several weeks and by the time we got to the beach (my favorite place to run), I was able to get in some really great runs and it felt good.

It made me realize, maybe my coach knew all along what he was talking about, sometimes, you should..

Just Run.

So, today as a family, in the rain, that is what we did.

We ran in the Labor Day race that we have run in for the past 5 years.

But this time, my husband (I have to brag, he won his age group last year), stayed with Blondie,

I tried my best to keep up with Peanut.

(And yes, it looks like I am walking there, not sure what happened.)

As a family, we just ran.

We didn’t stay around, mostly because of rain, for the door prizes or the announcements of the winners.

We went as a family and enjoyed ourselves.

So, I have been thinking, maybe I overcomplicate a lot of other things in my life unnecessarily.

Maybe, I need to just run.

Just Relax.

Just Enjoy.

Just Laugh.

Just Live.

Just Love.

Just Be.

How about you?

Thanks for reading!

(oh, and thanks to our friend Tim for taking the pictures. His son, I must brag again, came in 6th place out of 820 people. He, however, is in the height of his competitive running career, so there is no “just running” for him!)