Friday, September 11, 2009

Cross country


The freedom of Cross Country is so primitive. It's woman vs. nature.
- Lynn Jennings, 3x world xc champ

Simplify. Aaaah.... What an inviting term! I have been stressing out, trying to get us all out of the house and to cross country practice or the healthplex early enough for me to get in a run.

Then, I had an "aha" moment... we need a treadmill! We can keep it in the shop, and I can run at my convienence... and also have the kids take turns during the school day. Then, after cross country season, we can STAY HOME!!!

Well, DUH!!! We don't need a treadmill (not until winter rains begin, anyhow!)... We have a cross country course in our backyard! My trails had gotten a little rough and unkempt, and so I had quit running on them. As I was thinking about the treadmill, etc... I remembered that trails or not, my dirt road is a half mile long, and my driveway is a quarter mile long. That's a mile and a half loop (of hill work!)

When I mentioned to Scott that I was saving him a few thousand dollars by running on my dirt road, he promptly spent a few hours bush hogging my trails! They are still a little rough and steep, but hey, I've got the ankles of a mountain goat!

As I have started running at home during lunch break, I have remembered why I do this... I actually really enjoy running! It is a time of rest for me, reflection, and even fun. I will sometimes run with my random mix of music.... Casting Crowns, Johnny Lee, "The Jeffersons" TV theme song... and sometimes I just enjoy the sounds of nature. (that can be heard over my huffing and puffing!)

Continuing on the subject of running...
Last week, we made our first dry run on the Tallahatchie Riverfest course. We started at the coffee shop and ran the 5K together. After the course, the girls went in the coffee shop and got a smoothie, and I ran another round. It was a fun day! The Gunnells and McCallums ran with us. Here are Hannah, Ben, and Sarah.

2 comments:

Roan said...

So you changed your mind about the treadmill?
Thanks so much for hosting us last night. It was just terrific!

Nathan said...

Are your ankles really that strong? Because mine can barely take the road, I need to start working them out!
Nathan