Running religously

Wordless Wednesday

I found this great picture at The Back Pew

Running religously

Double Dip Run

Today I did a Double Dip Run, meaning I did not stop once for a cup of coffee, but twice!

First stop was after five miles, at a farmer who's 'gone coffee'. He exchanged his cows for a restaurant, and you can sit outside and have your coffee and cake, and eat and drink them too. It's a lovely place to just sit and relax.

Feeling like I could conquer the world again, I then headed to the nearest town, and the next part of my run. I love to do some window shopping during my runs. After another five miles I arrived at my second stop: a pancake restaurant, where I had another cup of coffee and a glass of mineral water. Nothing tastes as good as a glass of water after a run! I gulped it down, and then elegantly sat there sipping my coffee. I am after all, a lady! Even though a sweaty one. Then I headed home, feeling all lean and mean.

I just love the way running makes me feel. And since Jeff Galloway paved the way for taking walking breaks, by proving breaks actually impróve your speed, I don't feel like a loser for taking a coffee break.
Or two.

Double Dip Run

To have or to be?

When it come to the philosophical debate about whether we áre our bodies, or whether we háve bodies, I have always preferred the first. I'ld like to think I'm móre than my body, and that who I am is not determined just by my genes, my enviroment and my wiring.

But when I see people suffering from dementia, it makes me doubt the idea that we are more than our bodies. Some patients actually change personalities, because of their brain anomalies. Wouldn't that be proof that we áre our bodies?

Running makes me feel I am my body

Anyway, yesterday I was doing my long run, and for the first time ever, I felt at one with my body. Like I wás my body. Generally speaking I think of my body as a handy vehicle that takes me where I want to go. And if it's absolutely necessary I'm willing to slap some bodylotion on it. Once a year or so.

But as a runner I can identify with my body. When I'm out there running, I feel lean and mean, and proud to be this moving body.

Where do you stand on the issue whether we are our bodies or whether we have bodies?
And how does running affect your stance on this issue?

To have or to be?

The fear of the female runner

With a heartbeat of 175, caused by a mixture of effort and fear, I galloped along that 'cute little trail' I couldn't resist.

But it kept winding further and further away from the nearest road. My mind already began thinking up the headlines: 'Female runner found murdered on cute little trail' and experts shaking their heads saying: 'Curiosity killed this female runner dead.'

Just when I thought I really should just turn around, the path suddenly became wider and I found myself once again in the world of the living. What sweet relief! Especially since I absolutely hate 'turning back'. Turning back is like the t-shirt: 'Been there, done that!'

Mom Self versus my Runner Self

As a mom I like my life quiet and uneventful. I get enough adrenline rushes when the kids are fighting about who is looking at who 'funny', muddy footsteps on clean kitchen floors, and empty milk cartons ín the fridge. But as a runner, I like to be adventurous. I like exploring 'strange and new worlds'. And when I see a dirt path, I'm drawn to it.

But as a woman you are vulnerable, and you shouldn't take unnecessary risks. Which is a real bummer if you ask me.

Do you run along desolate dirt tracks?
And do you prefer familiar routes, or do you like to try out new ones?

The fear of the female runner