Lightning

A wicked lightning storm on the Front Range this afternoon prevented me from posting earlier than now. I didn't want the computer -my lifeline to all that I know and love in the internet world- to fry. You understand.

Actually, I'm writing this during the lightning storm and plan on posting later. I'm unplugged and it's all good; I always liked acoustic anyway.

The lightning started just as I was leaving work this afternoon. The first thought that came to mind was "geez, if it's raining I won't be able to run this afternoon" and then I remembered, I CAN'T RUN! It is ridiculously frustrating and annoying. Instead of doing something good for me that I don't feel right without, I get to sit on the couch. Sure, I lift weights and stretch and I think I'll start swimming soon but I really wish I could just go for a good, easy ten miler.

Being one that's unnaturally obsessed with looking for the positive in everything, I'm trying to notice the positive in all this. Let me tell you, there is a lot of it.

For example, you have all kinds of time. You get up in the morning and, huh? what's this? you don't have anywhere to go. That's right, you can just get up, drink some tea and sit. You don't have to find your shoes, or your iPod or grease your beltline in Glide. No, you just get up leisurely and go about your day. On weekends, when you normally do your long run, you don't have to. You can just go to the grocery store or the bank and beat the crowd. Incredible.

Or, to those of you who run later in the day, guess what? You don't have to. Instead, you leave work, drive home, maybe go out to dinner and then stay home. There are no Fartleks, no 800's, nothing. It's just peace and quiet and bad summer television programming. Or if you're like me, you can watch your latest Netflix choice the very same day you get it. I know, amazing, right?

And then there's that whole numbers thing. How many miles today? How many minutes? What was that last split? Well, when you're not running you know what happens? YOU DON'T CARE. Oh yes, you read right: you don't care. You don't have any calculations to do, no miles to map out. Nothing. The only numbers that concern you are the time you wake up, maybe the number in the checkbook and, if you're feeling ambitious, the miles per gallon your car is getting. Fabulous. Truly fabulous.

So, in my good-natured, positive thinking way I am enjoying this non-running lifestyle. I am observant. I am more rested.

I am a liar.

Because you know what? No matter what I get out of this non-running life, none of it is better than running. Not getting to the grocery store early. Not drinking my tea first thing in the morning. None of it can replace going for a run. As much as I am trying to appreciate the extra hours I save every week, it will never feel as good as getting my heart rate above 100 (sometimes, 160- ha!) and sweating. There's just no way.

Nothing will replace running for me. And, if I have to, I'll see every doctor in this city until I'm better. No lightning is striking here, folks.