It’s my birthday, and I’ll RUN if I want to!!!…
16 miles, that is!
I know what you’re thinking: That I’m crazy! That out of all the ways I choose to celebrate my birthday, I RUN. Yep! And that today I chose to run the longest distance I’ve ever done before. 13.1 just wasn’t gonna do it today; I wanted to, had to, surpass that. Really, I wanted, and still do (and will!) run a marathon, but I didn’t want to injure myself. Everything in good time…
Historically, it usually rains and/ or snows on my birthday; tempestuous CO weather! But today I was gifted with temps in the 70s, and low, puffy white clouds sailing ‘cross azure skies. I had to take advantage of such glorious weather.
My run today was 70% trail, 30% road, up and down, along the foothills and accompanying strike valleys. I didn’t bother concerning myself with splits or time really; distance is what mattered. I kept entertaining the thought of running my first marathon distance, but knew that that was not yet quite feasible…but sometime this year, yes… 😉
Plus, I was planning on going out to dinner this evening with family and friends, and such a distance would take too long, since I started my run mid-afternoon…and I would need to clean up once done.
The majority of my run felt great: I was flying. The last four miles are when I felt fatigue settle in. Despite consuming multiple gels and goos, the heat was finally sapping my energy. But I kept at it. My speed slowed, but my determination did not. I sprinted the last half mile, and when I finally slowed to a walk, I was beaming. I was absolutely gross but felt glorious. Sweaty but sublime. A new running milestone, and on my birthday no less. A true present to myself. I was definitely “high” on the “runner’s high.” 🙂
I walked, stretched, cooled down, hopped in the shower. I put on my favorite blue dress, a memento from my trip to Barcelona a few years ago. Running, and exercise in general, gives your face the best glow. I’m serious! If makeup companies could somehow create a potion that mimics the runner’s glow, that company would make millions. My eyes were bright, my skin the perfect combination of tan and flush. It’s weird, given how sweaty (especially after this particular run), I can be after exercise, but it’s often when I feel the most beautiful. I feel strong, empowered, capable of anything.
******
As you can guess, I devoured everything in sight after my run. I went to my favorite Italian restaurant, and promptly replenished all my lost carbs via chicken parmigiana with spaghetti. My Mom, super loving and generous as always, had brought cupcakes from a professional baker, for dessert.
Having my family and family friends surrounding me, well, I’m going to say a total cliché, but…I’m lucky. Blessed. I know, saaaapppy. I won’t bog you down with further, well exhausted clichés. But truly, you know who you are, and I want to say thank you. I mean it. To everyone who wished me a happy birthday, whether by text, post, card, etc., thank you. 🙂 I love you all. You all made my day extremely special.
*****
Birthdays are about, well, getting older. But my five year old “former charge” (i.e., the girl I nannyed recently; clearly I read too many historical novels), is convinced that I am 10, and not a twentysomething. I told her my age, but she wouldn’t have it, as she steadfastly declared, “You’re 10! You’re the same size as my friend!”
Everyone at the table laughed. “Well, thank you! This is the best birthday ever! Instead of a year older, I’m more than a decade and a half younger! I can go with this!” I exclaimed, to more laughs. So, I run my longest distance so far and I’m getting younger? Cool. Happy Birthday to me. 🙂
~LMC