avoid running at all times

i have not enjoyed running in a long while.

when i was in middle and high school i loved to run. mostly i think it was because i was pretty good at it. though i enjoyed doing it, i didn't really run track. i preferred to jump. through high school i was a long jumper and a high jumper. i didn't participate in any running events other than at the spur of the moment because there might be a spot free in the "no-chance" heat of the 400.

during practice, i trained about as hard as the rest of the team. intervals were every bit as much a part of my daily routine. the only difference was that after they were done, i worked on jumping technique instead of running technique.

the real decision maker for me involved meets. the field events were held first thing in the morning. by the time the sun had really gotten high, i was finished with my events and cooling out under the parachute. while the rest of the team were still preparing for - and worrying about - their races, i was taking it easy trying to meet girls from other schools.

while on my mission, i ran for a few months. stewart marriott was a very fit companion who was intent on retaining his modeling career after his mission was over. we ran and lifted or stretched 6 days a week. i don't know what happened to me, but he went home to make a lot of money in modeling. for a long time there i would see him in major publications promoting huge companies.

a couple of weeks ago, i decided to go down to the barton creek green belt before work. i do this pretty often when i don't have to be at work early. i was listening to mozart on my ipod while hiking off through the woods. for some unknown reason, i just felt like running. it actually felt pretty good. i think all told, i ran/walked about 3 1/2 miles. the rest of the day i felt great. so the next morning i decided to go again, mostly to try and keep the soreness down. another great day.

something about the trail must be the deciding factor. there is hardly anyone else there. i usually see about 3 people in 40 minutes. rather than pounding away on some street that looks just like it did 5 minutes ago, the trail changes constantly. i even had to dodge a rattlesnake last week.

although i've been 7 times in the last two weeks, i don't know how long this current infatuation will last. i hope for a good while. maybe i just needed the right circumstance to make it work. i certainly could stand to be a little more fit.

now, if i could only learn to jangle a bit when i walk.