Skip to main content

Learning To Enjoy The Solitude

Well, my long run this weekend turned into more of a long walk :) But that's ok, because the truth is I'm still injured so the fact that I can get out there and get 4 miles is pretty good at the moment. I had hoped to get 5, but I felt sluggish and started walking, then I decided since I was 'feeling it a little' that I'd cut it short at 4. It was 28 and a few snow flurries, and my hamstring wasn't a huge fan of the cold.

And you know what? I didn't feel disappointed or defeated in any way that I cut my run short. This my friends is a huge milestone for me.

I'm sure you've picked up on the fact, that I'm not one who really enjoys running alone. See, when I lived in Mississippi, I would meet my best friend Jill at an ungodly hour, and we would run and talk for an hour. Every night, I would look forward to our super early morning runs. It was a friendship that was formed over running, and to this day it still stands - oh how I miss her and her family.

When I moved to PA, I would go out running and come home crying. "I'm done. I'm not doing this again. I hate it here."
My Hubby would patiently respond, "Ok honey - do whatever you think is best." A day or two would go by and I'd go out running again. I don't know how many times that I returned crying. But I can tell you that it was several. Eventually, I started running again, but it was different - very very different. Running completely changed for me.

I did join a local running group. And they have been a great support. They are a very open welcoming crowd. And usually on any given weekend, you can find someone to run with which is nice.

But I miss having a steady running buddy - a steady running friend. And after a few times of thinking that maybe I had found someone here (although no one will ever replace Jill - no one. She is and always will be that special person that I met in the wee hours of the morning as I complained about the cold, and she would push the distance a little farther because I was directionally challenged. We never looked at pace. I don't even know if we tracked distance. We simply just ran to run. And to spend time together. And I know that no one will ever take that place). But I had hoped that I could find my running buddy here to call my own. I know it sounds silly. But it's the truth.

And after 7 years, well I've come to realize that I don't think there is a running buddy for me here. So it's time to learn to enjoy the solitude. I'm trying. I still feel myself rushing the runs to get back home. And I'm trying to learn how to slow down and enjoy the view.

So this past weekend, as my hamstring/butt wasn't happy with me, instead of feeling defeated and discouraged... I slowed down. I walked. I took some deep breaths. I did a little soul searching, and I took in the view.






Share this on Facebook?





PLEASE give me a click. I need your help to boost my ranking on Top Mommy Blog. Please click the banner below to give me a vote. 
If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers
If you like my blog, or this post, please take a moment to share it with friends. As they say, sharing is caring :)

Comments

  1. Great post for thought. Its important to enjoy what you're out there doing. And sometimes that just takes embracing what you're given in order to do so. I've never experienced having a regular run buddy, but have learned to embrace the alone time and experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. :) And yes, it's very important to enjoy what you're out there doing. And thank you for taking a moment to comment.

      Delete
  2. What a pretty place to run! I wonder if you ran with someone, would you take time to notice all the beauty out there? I run by myself and I really enjoy that time alone...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying to embrace the alone time! :) It is a beautiful place to run!

      Delete
  3. I'm a solo runner by preference, but I do understand we all have different needs. Don't give up on finding that "running buddy". I've met many more runners lately, folks who I never knew ran! Once your son gets to Elementary school, you'll meet more moms and there are always several runners in that batch ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) We shall see. I'm either too slow or too fast for the ones I know it seems like ha

      Delete
  4. Beautiful view, I used to run and had amazing running buddies but then I moved and moved again and kinda just lost interest after that so now i just admire people who do. Well done you

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Self Care Is Not Selfish It's Necessary

It's not selfish to take care of yourself. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. And I'll say it just one more time in case you didn't hear me. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. I have found through experience that when I'm not taking care of myself, not only do I suffer but my family suffers. So ditch the mom guilt and take the time that you need! I have a tendency to keep pushing my needs aside until I reach a breaking point. We've had a very busy fun summer so far. However, I've struggled to get some quality ' me ' time to decompress. I'll spare you the meltdown that ensued. But the reality check that followed prompted me to take action.

Running My Life

Wow, has it really been 2 years since my last post? I suppose that I allowed life to get in the way. For any faithful blog readers, I apologize. Although, I'm not sure how many people actually read blogs anymore. I think most people use other social media platforms.  (By the way, drop by and say hi on Insta. )  But for some reason, each year when I pay for my google domain, I can't seem to let it go. As silly as it sounds, this little space is mine. And lately I've been struggling with ownership and acceptance. And my domain renewal was a not so gentle reminder that I have a voice .  Seriously, you'd think by 48 that I'd have this figured out - nope - apparently not. However, I am wise enough to know that we have a choice to allow situations to harms us or make us stronger. I'm choosing to let this mid-life quandary make me stronger. And because of this, I'm setting goals, taking charge, and reexamining priorities.  Movin' on... 

When The Planner In You Must Be Flexible

In case you haven’t figured this out by now, I’m a planner. I know - shocker right?!? :) So although I love substitute teaching, it’s making the planner in me anxious. And it’s been reeking havoc on my workouts. Basically the morning of or maybe the night before, I find out if I’m working. So my day ( that I thought I had planned ) can be turned upside down in an instant. But, truthfully, isn’t that really the same with everyone?