One day closer

Well, one day closer to my next race, what ever it may be. I had thought after this past Saturday's race, I wouldn't enter any more until May. Well....that's changed. I'm now looking into the possibility of entering another 5K next week while we're on vacation, and then another around Halloween. I'll just have to see how it goes, and what all comes my way. So far I'm having issues registering for the one in October as the registration web site is not secure, and the pricing info on the printable form is not correct. I've sent an e-mail to the organizer, can't wait to see what they have to say.

Anyway, went on a run today. 3.02 miles. Just around 27 minutes. A little tough getting going, but by the end felt really good. Fall is in the air, hardly 60 degrees this evening. I did slow up a few times, but that seems normal on my evening runs. I'm finding running to be very relaxing and a great way to end the day. I'd like to share something that I wrote.

I want to start by saying this is 100% NOT directed at anyone. Over the last few days, I've seen heard things, and tonight in the shower after my run I got thinking. We all need personal time. Just time by ourselves, away from the distractions of every day life. Time to just let our minds clear, even if for a little while. A time to just say "screw the rest of the world, it's all about me right now". 

I've really found my personal time through my running. I'm away from people. For the most part away from technology (I still have my phone, but using it to play music and track my run). I'm not doing anything but moving my legs and breathing. I can switch off my mind for that 20 or 30 minutes and just take in nature all around me and do something for myself. I don't think we as a society do that much anymore. We work our asses off, come home, do work around the house, don't unplug from what ever it is we do, eat and sleep. Yes, I'm guilty of all of that too. I'm not perfect. I don't claim to have all the answers. I'm not saying your living life wrong. All I'm saying is that we need to make time for our own person. 

We're just surrounded by so many things that cause stress and chaos. When I do my Combat routines, I can get rid of the stress, but I can't relax. Running, I can get rid of the stress and relax. We're all different and have to find that right combinations for our selves. It's taken me this long to figure it out. After a run, I feel calm, relaxed. Generally in a better mood. And it's just calming. When it comes time for bed, I'm ready. When I wake up in the morning, it's go time. 

I guess what I'm getting at here, is we all need to make that time for ourselves. We all have time, and if you don't, try and make that time. It really is amazing what 20 or 30 minutes without outside distractions can do. I've seen changes in myself and other friends who have taken that time in their day, just to do something for them. Heck, even if it's not exercise, you have to do something for yourself. Go get ice cream. Go take the biggest poop ever. I don't really care. Just make it YOUR time. The key in this is "you". No one else, just you. Enjoy that time. Embrace it!