first run

Well, after a very restless night of sleep the day began. It was unlike my usual days in which I groan and drag myself out of bed to my bowl of All Bran at eight o'clock in the morning. No, this day started with more "enthusiasm". I leaped out of my bed and somehow simultaneously wrapped the blanket around myself AND found those pesky slippers which I swear walk around all night on their own because they're never where I leave them the night before (I don't have any pets either). It was like a fright but with wider motion and a longer impulse than usual. Then again, perhaps this is just how one's memory sees it. Everything is always more extravagant in your mind's eye.

Not only did I jump up out of bed, but I did so an hour earlier than usual. This was due to some excited phone calls with the news of a new addition to the extended family.

Anyway, so I had a long breakfast and a good chat with my mom. I enjoy having such time with her.

Now, onto the point.

I've decided to train for a marathon next year. Ive been reading up on running for the past few months. Who would have thought that a hair appointment could inspire you to finally get out there and run again? I think the last straw was a combination of my growing frustration with my lack of exercise schedule, no one to play sports with, and my huge competitive nature that has been unfed for some time. I love all kinds of sports, but I've been away for so long that I don't know of anyone who would take me on.I had a badminton match with a friend last month and I felt pretty lame on the court. Now, I do take Taekwon-do classes but I don't feel like it's enough.

However, though I also contribute my motivation to Taekwon-do I can also thank it for bringing me to the one who inspires me. There are many great people there, but this woman is outstanding. I really look up to her. She is a working mom who does everything possible for her kids like supervising on their sports teams or traveling all over the world for their competitions, and even joining in. All of this, and yet she's also a runner.Well, I don't think anyone's "first run" is ever as spectacular as they first thought is to be. Still the main idea is that you got up and did it. Even after all day on my feet I ran home, got some water in me and suited up. In this cold Maritime weather in which it's still likely to snow I pulled out my tuque, kept on my signature 'hobo' gloves, laced up my old sneakers, with a sweater I used to wear in junoir high and my windbreaker and set off with the keys in one pocket and a pedometer in the other. I did it in spurts. I would say as I looked ahead, "start at that driveway, and once I was a while along I would say, you can make it to that car, or that light poll. I think I did at least 7 spurts of this with tense walking in between.

I think I did't warm up enough, but I jsut wanted to get it done this time. I got a stitch early in my right side but I kept on it. It's funny though. By the end of it, even though my calves are shot, I felt like I could just keep running. There's something about those two streets before my apartment. I wuld like to think that I grasped at that point in which you get the high and you could just go on forever.

A.J. Ryan