Sunday morning was a great day to run. I woke up at around 530 am and got on the road by 545. There was a slight fog out, very little humidity, and the weather was generally cooler than usual. Although it wasn't raining, by mile 1 I was already damp from running through the fog and inevitable morning mist. It was awesome, just me, the run, and my thoughts.
I made a remark the other day to a friend that I was running 4 miles in the beautiful 80+ degree Texas heat after work. She quickly asked me if I was being chased. Not a bad question, considering the elements. I had to think about my response to her, but all that came out was a laugh and a "no". On my run Sunday, I started thinking about her question and the REAL answer pretty much hit me square in the face.
I have some great friends serving overseas right now. Friends that I certainly consider brothers. Do you know how many of them would love to just wake up in the morning, throw on their Camelbak and their iPod and head off on a nice 2 hour run? Mind you, they are sold into their current mission of defeating tyranny, but if you asked them if they'd rather be home enjoying their families or being deployed, most, if not all, would much rather be back home.
I think we as Americans, THE fattest country in the world, take our means and ability to exercise for granted. Not every country has the same means to stay in shape as Americans...yet year in and year out, we are the fattest and most obese group of people in the entire world. I've always had a pet peeve, and it still irks me to this day. Whenever I am running and I see someone running/walking, it bothers me to no end. Can't tell ya why, it just does. For all I know that person could be on the tail end of a 50 mile run, but when I see them running and then start walking and then start running and then start walking...it angers me.
But, that's another talk for another time. Bottom line, I run for three main reasons: 1) I want to successfully run races to raise money for the WWP 2) I run because I have many friends that would love to be running with me, but cannot, and 3) I run because I care about my health and my body, and I want to see the look on Sam's and Joe's face when they hold their first child and I want to see the smile on Regina's face during our 50th wedding anniversary party.
So, in summation, great run on Sunday. I ran 8 miles in 1:08. I'm almost to the Ranger School standard of 8:00 minute miles for 5 miles. That would put me at 1:04...not too much farther. I'm looking for some races to run around the Houston area, maybe a half marathon or two, so if anyone knows any worth running, please let me know. Thanks.
