Carrots and Iced Tea

It's such a simple thing--running.  You put on a pair of shoes and you just go.  It is the most simple and efficient sport out there.  Want to drop weight quickly?  Run.  Want to free your soul? Run.

It's a selfish thing--running.  Its time by yourself to be alone in the scariest place in the world--your head.  But it can also create unspeakable bonds with others just because you know you couldn't have done it without the help of another person. That person can be a total stranger, but they can also become your life support.

B and I met at the NCR trail.  People who know me, know I HATE that trail, but it does have it's perks.  Its flat for one thing.  It's also shaded and somewhat scenic.  You're isolated from roads and civilization and as you run along, if you're lucky, you'll hit cold pockets of air trapped beneath the trees which can be revitalizing on a sweltering day.

Brenda is always good to go whatever.  I asked her how far she wants to go and of course she said she doesn't care.  We agreed on 8 so I could get an even 30 in this week. We took off at a very brisk pace in the afternoon on a 95 degree day.  One of the bad things about the trail is the monotony.  Even though I had Speed Queen by my side, I quickly got bored.

We went up to six and back.  On the way back towards Sparks, I had to stop to pee.   B wanted to stop to hurl.  Whatever she ate did not agree with her.  "Hey Erin, come look at my carrots!"  Being totally unimpressed I walk over to see her remains, "God B, did you even chew them?" We took off for the remaining two miles.  Yeah, 'Hardcore' is our middle names.

It's hot and I just wanted the run to be over.  B ran in front pulling me along.  She does well focusing on someone in front of her, pulling her.  I get a little sea-sick watching the bouncing, so I looked over her shoulder and used the invisible cord to pull me along.

Remembering its always more encouraging to think about how far you've come and not dwelling on what's left, I say, "7.5 in" and then "a tenth left, lets give it all you got."  We push it in.  B stops, she's going to be sick.  I try to keep her moving and drinking water, she gets sick again.

Now it's time to do what pulled me through the run.  The sweet prize of the cool down.  We walk back to B's car and get our cups of iced tea.  We head down the steps that descend to the Gunpowder River. Strip the shoes off and wade in.  Iced cold beverage in hand I sit down and let the river run over me.  Ahhhhhh!

It's B's turn.  She walks over to me, hands me her cup and falls face first into the river.  We sit there in the river letting the cool water bring us down and chat for several minutes.  We talk about the amazing athletes we know and are privileged to have in our lives, we talk about men past and present, and we talk about our goals for the future.  She and I get it.

The run isn't just about the run.  It's the metaphor that we buy into.  I've heard some people who run say they don't consider themselves runners.  They say they don't really love it.  I agree, these people aren't really runners.  Not because they haven't completed a marathon or because they walk sometimes, but because they don't use running as a source to pull from within, they don't see it as who they are.  Fast, slow, long, short--if you run because it defines you and it helps you stay in touch with yourself, you are a runner.  Even if you only like 5K's and never run a marathon, if you know that the run is what feeds you, then you have crossed over into the runner's world. That's why I say the run isn't just about time on your feet, its about what comes before and after and sometimes, sometimes its about the carrots that come during.