Why I Run, Day Fourteen: To Stay Grounded

This morning I needed a break more than I needed to run. Had this dreadful chasing dream in which I, being chased, was pursued for over three hours in real life. I suppose my husband was clocking the time. So, basically a full on marathon while I was in some parallel universe with my eyes shut in this one. Man, I can feel it now!

Ragged, bone breaking tired. And I smell like the stupid food truck lineup that we sauntered past in the triple digit temps with our kid meltdown happening in real time. It keeps me humble. It keeps me grounded.

So, too, does running. When I think I'm logging steady good miles, oh hello running injury! Sorry feet, the hip impingement said we need a one week rainheck while I self medicate and sob and try to cycle or swim to keep up the pep. Sheesh. Or how about that new PR you spend years working to reach - like the time I finally made it to the sub-twenty minute 5k distances. Then the 36 year old super woman with sixteen children she birthed at home comes in glistening and sparkling at 18:56. Of course, only after she harvested her entire crop of kale that morning and baked her semi-retired husband a bundt cake for breakfast. Okay, exaggerating.

The contest keeps me grounded to reality. The reality keeps me grounded to perspective. The perspective keeps me rooted in just how good my life is. Rewind a couple days and I have to express that joy and gratitude.

Psychologically speaking, running is also like a grounding rod if I am a lightning bolt. It not only keeps me out of jail (hello, hot temper and faulty self control feature!), running is my favorite outlet to keep from poisoning other people. It keeps me cool. It ensures I will keep seeking God on foot, every single step of the way.