If you ever saw the film, What Women Want, you might recall Helen Hunt’s character thinking up an inspirational advertising plan involving a woman running, early in the morning on the side of the road. The traffic is close to zero, the sunrise is just peaking up, the pounding of the tennis shoes hit the payment. “I want to be her,” she exclaims!
For some, running is like jabbing a hundred little needles in the skin, but, for me, it’s a release, a burst of freedom, and an instant happy pill. I’ve been running ever since I was in fourth grade, back when running a mile was a battle. 14 years later, I’m jogging alongside Kelly Drive, passing East Falls, finishing up a ten plus run.
And it felt pretty good.
Earlier, I had sunk into a swing of depression, a heavy, spiky weight leading me down into a cold, dark cavern that might end. But, I decided to skip a nap and go for a long run, from Manayunk to the Art Museum steps and back. The trek renewed, inspired and strengthened me.
Some people have yoga, shooting hoops at their driveway or playing guitar. I have running. Find and embrace your running, whatever it is.
LagoLahMichelle 