Reason for running number...heck...I've lost track...

I've never felt so much like the fellow in this commercial as I did this week. Stressful stuff, lots of worry, things eating away at me. Today I went for a run that was amazing and cleansing. I only went a bit over 3 miles, but it was a tempo run and I pushed the pace pretty hard. I don't think I've run as fast as I did today in a long, long time, if ever! I prayed as I ran, praying for peace and encouragement and hope. About a half mile in, I slipped into that elusive state of "flow", where everything going on in my head seems completely separate from my body...my body is running, but it feels effortless and as if I'm just floating along. The clarity of thinking I have in those rare moments is unreal. It's like a waking dream-state, but I'm fully alert, even hyper-alert, to my surroundings. If you've never experienced a moment like this, you probably think I've gone off the deep end. But for those that have been there, you know what I'm talking about.

I ran, fast and hard. It wasn't that I was running away from my problems. I was running head-on, straight into them, considering them, praying about them, focusing on them, dealing with them...and then breaking free as they washed away.

It was one of the best runs I've ever had. Running is my therapy. It clears my head, it gives me a chance to focus my prayers, to focus my thoughts, to cleanse away the junk. It was just what I needed. Thank you, Lord, for giving me running, and for giving me this run.

Matchy match my ride

What is up with cyclists? Okay, I am NOT slamming my bike-loving friends. I have lots of them, and they are awesomely cool people. But seriously, I need to know this. Why are they so matchy matchy all the time? Again, this is an honest question I don't know the answer to and want to understand.

Running along the river trail I see lots of other runners and lots of riders. Most of the other runners are like me...hair up or mashed into a hat and running clothes that are functional and comfortable but don't necessarily match. My blue striped Adiddas tights are SUPER comfy but they don't match my favorite purple running shirt. Do I care? No. Does my favorite bright pink hat clash with the ensemble? Yes. Do I care? Again, I have to say no. I don't typcially give one iota whether I am fashionably uncool when I run. Although I might sweat over "the perfect attire" for race day, it's  not because I worry if it all "goes together." I'm more worried about what might chafe or get too warm or make me uncomfortable.

Now, while I do see the occasional cyclist with (gasp) mismatched gear, most of the folks I see flying by are in completely matching attire. SERIOUSLY matchy matchy. Even their helmets coordinate. Jerseys match shorts match socks match shoe covers match the gosh darn bike! What is up with this? Are we runnerscompletely fashionably lowbrow? Do cyclists buy entire outfits in one shopping trip? Am I alone in my perfectly UNcoordinated looks? Do YOU match when you run?