Mom + Miles = Sanity

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Today I came across a new fun running attire company that summed up some of my feelings about running pretty well, and did so stylishly.  As I've said multiple times, running is my sanity.  Now, I can't say that I need the sanity check because of my child...far from it.  Actually running has helped center me for a long time.  That said, I love the shirt that says "Mom + Miles = Sanity."  I will take it to mean that, yes, I am a mom, and yes I have stress, and yes, running helps me keep it all on an even keel.

I thought about the life evening benefits of running a lot during my today's lunch hour miles.  I thought about all the feelings I have when its me, my ipod and endless road or trail.  I feel release.  I feel empowered.  I feel in control.  I feel strong.  I feel relaxed.  I feel happy.  I feel accomplished.  I feel many things, but most importantly I feel AWESOME about myself.

The sun was shining down, cars were bustling up and down the roads, people were walking and talking through the parks and life was going on around me, but it didn't matter.  I was in my happy zone (one of my several happy zones of course) and everything felt pretty good.  I cleared my head and thought about new approaches to work challenges, I thought about fun things to do with the diva this weekend, I thought about my half marathon and the joy of running with friends this weekend. 

And then I stopped.  I enjoyed the sweat (well, mostly...I don't enjoy the sweat that drips into my eyes and stings like a mother...), and I enjoyed the slight ache in my muscles.  Though the run was not particularly challenging it was fulfilling and helping me to hit my mini goal for the week (30 miles...).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.01
Time:   34:44 (average pace of 8:39 per mile)
Location:  Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill
Feeling:  the lower hamstring is twinging a bit again, but the lungs are feeling lighter