Running pays off

I haven't written about running in awhile. Initially this blog was largely about how running helped me shed heaps of weight. And even though I haven't written about it much, running has remained a regular part of my life since '06. It's become a part of who I am. I still do a once weekly long run that's anywhere between 10-13 miles, and recently, have added a second weekly walk/run hybrid of about 4 miles with Rich or my friend Karen. I am embarrassingly slow (10:30 min. miles on a good day), but speed has never been a reason why I run. Besides, it's not like I'm that far behind the winners. I see them TONS during the race- at the starting line, and then later at the...hmm, I guess maybe just at the starting line and then after at the awards ceremony.

Running is the most therapeutic, stress-reducing, confidence-building, strength-building tool I've ever found. And because it's outdoors and you can pick different routes every time you go- it never seems to gets old. Though I love walking as much as I love running (I also do a weekly 6-mile walk with my friend Yuri), running makes you feel a little more bad a**. And sometimes middle-aged mommies need all the bad a*sed-ness they can summon up. ;-)

That's not to say I haven't struggled. A few years ago, I hit a low where I contemplated taking a hiatus and swimming instead, but ultimately stuck with it. And I'm glad that I did, because 2012 was the most exciting year of racing for me. The high of crossing the finish line after running for hours and hours can rarely be paralleled.

In recent years, I've even found some entertaining stuff on the side of the road- an inflated beach ball, a life vest for Ry, a $10 bill, $3, $1 (today), a book of stamps and 2 Gorilla bungee cords. On two separate occasions, I've also found two working cell phones (both returned to their owners within 30 min.), a drivers license, and was with my friend Karen when she found a wedding band (all turned in to the police). I have to admit I've been secretly hoping to find a duffel bag stuffed with weed and bundles of cash...which I will DEFINITELY TURN IN TO THE POLICE. EVERY PENNY.

The good news is that combined with what I've found running ($10) and walking ($60) in California, I've made a total of about $84. The bad news is that the cost of running is probably about a grand a year (shoes, gear, gels, races, etc). So I'm down about $7,916...which is why I want to find that duffel bag. The one I'm going to turn in to police. 

I guess the point of this is to tell you that while running can pay off huge dividends (50 lbs, $84, a life vest and a beachball), the serenity and clarity it has brought me is far more valuable. Thank you universe/God, for helping me find a piece of me that I didn't even know was missing.