Addicted to Running

A weird thing happened this morning.

I slept through my alarm. (No, that’s not the weird thing..)

I packed up my gym bag so that I could work out at lunch.

What’s so weird about that is that I did it without thinking—because it’s such a habit. During my marathon training, I always ran on Tuesdays, sometimes Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This weekend, I didn’t think about going out to run—I just did it.

When I started going to Joel, he said that eventually I wouldn’t think about exercising, that I’d do it like I brush my teeth. I must have cracked some kind of joke about falling asleep before brushing my teeth, because I certainly didn’t believe him. 

But exercise has become like walking my dog. Sometimes I stick to a set schedule of when I take him out, but sometimes I just take him out. I might not always get to take him on a long walk, but I try to get something in. Sometimes I lay on top of my bed and am lazy, but eventually I get out of bed and take him out—and I always feel better. There is no bad walk with your dog. Just getting out there is better than nothing.

[Did that analogy make any sense?]

And running has become like that. It’s just something I have to do. I wondered how I’d feel after the marathon about running—but I have my answer already. I can’t stop. I’m hoping I get into the NYC Half in the spring, and I’m trying to finish up my 9+1 so I can do the NYC Marathon next year. (I wish I were doing it this year!!!) 

But this morning, after I overslept, knowing I had Junior League tonight, I packed up my gym bag for lunch. And at lunchtime, I walked over like it was no big deal. Because it’s not a big deal to me any more.

For the first time since I started running last year, I’m not training for anything. It’s a weird, weird feeling, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts and try out some new classes at the gym and some new workouts—while still running.

[Today’s lunch was the leftover sweet potato chili; dinner was from Pump. I think my personal rule is takeout if I get home past 8:30. At least it’s healthy takeout.]

Speaking of running, I had a guest post on the Woman’s Day blog today about tips for hot weather running, if you want to check it out.