Worthy Running Day 7

For 99% of today's run I couldn't stop smiling! It was absolutely gorgeous out: 34° with a real feel of 27°. I stepped outside my apartment and could see my breath in the cool dry air and feel the moisture in my nose sort of freeze up. I think I've said it before, but I love running in the cold. There were even patches of ice and slick stretches of trail on today's run (hence, why I only smiled for 99% of the run; the 1% when I wasn't smiling is when I slipped and almost fell into the creek!). After yesterday's long run, it felt amazing to to just jog around Edgewood Park, a tiny but pleasant park about a mile from downtown where one feels they've really left the city. I even stopped and walked for a little while, simply to savor the moment. 
I know that 2020 has been a rough (or as I like to say, RUFF) year for almost everyone, but while running today I couldn't help but think that it really is the toughest times that often define us. I remember a run that I went on with my younger sister this summer while I was in Minnesota, the midpoint of my coast-to-coast move, and she remarked how often she is just in awe of the world. She told me that on runs she'd went on with my mom, she'd often stop and just say "whoah, look at that!" to which my mom would respond "What?" And I think that "what?" would be the typical response from most people, not least because my sister would usually be staring in awe at the sky or a plant or an interesting insect. This is sort of how I felt on today's run: I spent a lot of time just looking at my surroundings - like really looking. At the trees, at the water, at the leaves, at the ice. And I listened. Really listened. To the crunching frozen grass and leaves under every step I took, to the trickling sound of the running creek water, to my breath - every inhale and exhale. It's all so simple, but it made me happy. 
2020 has not been as difficult a year for me as it has been for many others, and I realize that. I faced some pretty significant life challenges in 2015, over the winter of 2017-2018, and late in 2019. Those were darker times for me, yet I always try to think like my sister and really appreciate the little things around me that made me feel happy. I wish I could do more for those really struggling this year. For now, I'm logging mile after mile, and just hoping that it's making an impact! 
Thank you to everyone who has already pledged! It's amazing what people coming together can accomplish! So far y'all have pledged $4.55 per mile that I run in December, and I've run 85 miles. That's a projected total raised of $386.75! Y'all make me feel so motivated and energized to keep going. Even the tiniest contribution from each individual adds up quickly, something that has always made sense to me in theory, but to see it all coming together is just incredible! Please consider pledging today - let's do this together! Click HERE to pledge today!

​Stay Cooped Up, my friends! Plus, it's now warmer in the Coop, so why leave?