run, run, run!

i purposefully haven't written about running on this blog because i've done so on two previous, less tended to blogs (amazing, right, that a blog could be less tended to than this one). the first was an actual attempt of a full on running blog, called "i've never been a runner." after two entries, weeks and months drifted on with no change in my running or writing habits. then, last year i wrote about running on the blog section of my website. i started with a purpose, a half marathon in SLC, but got sick and busy and stopped. essentially, i've lacked follow through in a big way.

so, where does that leave me now? i'm four weeks away and 12 miles deep into training for the see jane run half marathon in alameda, CA on may 30th. R and i have been training. R and M are flying in for the weekend, and the four of us are running together. i am beyond excited, for many reasons.

1) if you've kept up with my blog, you know that i am looking for work, stressed and anxious at times, striving to stay optimistic and constantly contemplating the sometimes overgrown and hard to find paths in front of me. i think, a lot. too much sometimes. thus, running has been an amazing outlet for me the past couple months. it's nearly free (a pair of running shoes and my little ipod shuffle to keep me company) and when i feel frustrated, stuck, skeptical, i run. there are days where all i want to do scream, but i lace up my kicks instead, turn on some interpol, maybe some talking heads, my newest favorite - starf****r, and usually, within a mile or two, my head feels unbelievably clearer. it's like a neti-pot in allergy season.

2) i finally feel comfortable writing about this since i've hit the 10+ mile mark. i've gotten to the point where i get bummed out if i realize that i'm not going to be able to squeeze a run into my day.

3) (i've lost track of why i needed numbers in here, but i'll go with it anyhow) the follow through. the motivation i've gained from running is leaking out to other parts of my life, if not all of them. if i can follow through with this, i can follow through with this blog, with my personal website, with my artwork, with my relationships. it's all connected.

now that my secret is out, that you all know about my secret running discovery, the door's open. the creative upturn just got a kickstart and i'll keep the updates coming.