I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!
Run. Think.
Before I argue with myself I want to go it will be so cold running is hard running is good I gear up plan think fresh air sun accomplishment coffee shop at finish First step out the door a cold blast I walk wait to begin try to stretch Music starts I run Ugh I'm slow Why do I start up a hill? dumb It is cold My toes are cold My fingers too I should have worn gloves Maybe I’ll just run one mile it's better than nothing, right? I round the corner to a slight downhill then straight I settle in Now I have to decide Straight to more decisions the possibility of a short run Or turn left, run farther from home where my only decisions are 2 miles or more I turn left with an immediate sense of regret running is hard now I'm hot I wrestle my jacket off tie it on my waist spend a few minutes distracted by tangled headphones Down a hill my app tells me its been a mile I feel good! If I can do 1 mile, I can do my Saturday 3 I remember this how running is good not easy -- but fun free with loud music a helpful beat Up a hill I tell myself that even 2 miles would be admirable after all, I ran yesterday the kids are waiting for me to come home I am going to run again tomorrow I hit my stride on a long stretch of straight and then down I know it's because it's downhill so I lengthen my gait I push it The bottom of the hill has more decisions straight and I can run to the track finish up a 3.1 and walk the mile home right and I will run all the way to the hill of doom where I will certainly stop around 2.7 but I will be so close to home the finish I'm thirsty I'm a little bit bored. But that hill I always stop on that hill Mind over matter hasn’t worked -- yet I go straight, right left stop at the l o n g traffic light left all the way to the track 2.74 is what my map tells me when I see that the track is covered with snow I take that as an excuse to stop.I walk home with coffee I think Running is good I wonder how much I'll run tomorrow.
On a Thought 
I don’t know how many times I have had the same thought process while running! I loved the style of your writing. It really felt like I was in your head. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much! I am glad I’m not alone! 🙂 So glad you stopped by.
Good for you to get out there and just do it. I’m trying to get started running again. It’s hard to convince myself to do it. I love loooong walks, but running, not so much!
It really is true that the first steps are the hardest… I never thought I’d love running, but by some crazy turn of events I do! Nothing wrong with walking though! I love that too… Thanks for stopping by, Carol! 🙂
Poetry is such a great way to express the thought process while running. I found myself smiling all through your poem. Yesterday, I too, went for run…and started uphill and thought, I should have brought gloves. I also thought, maybe I will just run a mile or so. A short run is better than no run. And, I too, found my stride…and was so glad I stuck with it. Good for you…and coffee is such a strong motivation. 🙂
Thanks so much! I had been thinking that maybe I was the only one who argued about the distance while I ran… and it’s nice to know I’m not! 🙂 Glad you stopped by. 🙂
You combine 3 of my favorite passions all in one here! Running, writing, and reading (of this post). I really enjoyed the style, being able to follow your thought process. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I love the same three things. 🙂
Way to go! I just cannot bring myself to run outside in the cold (which is probably why I spend the first part of the Spring building up my stamina and getting myself back up to where I was before the winter). What a great way to share what was going through your head!
I thought running in the cold would be horrible… but now I actually like it… and in the summer it just feels so hot and humid…so I try to make myself run first thing in the morning before the heat sets in. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by.
Love this! What a cool glimpse into your mind as you run. I was surprised that you felt bored. I didn’t know runners felt that.
I tried running last summer, and I liked it for the small amount of time I did it. Your post makes me think I should try again!
My favorite part of this comment is that you casually call me a runner. 🙂 I only kinda feel like a runner… with my slow pace and the fact that I don’t “look” like a runner at all… so that gave me a nice pat on the back to read. 😉
You should try again… my motto is: If I can do it, anyone can!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Dana!
You allowed us inside your head following along on your run. I was getting tired! lol Wonderful post.
Glad you stopped by – thanks for the lovely words. 🙂 While I was running, I was wishing I could be writing right then…. so it was a challenge to try to get all of my thoughts back and down on the page. 🙂