A New Route

I was supposed to run with the Harey Tortuga group this morning, but had to miss it in order to complete my motorcycle safety class. (Yes, I recently purchased a Yamaha VStar 650!) At any rate, because my class started at 6:45 AM and lasted until nearly 4:00 PM, I was unable to meet with my running group. Goodness knows I wasn't about to run in the heat of the afternoon, so I set my goal Thursday night to get up and run 8.5 miles Friday morning before heading off to work. The problem? I didn't know an 8-mile route from my house.

My lovely husband jumped in his card and sleuthed his way around our winding neighborhood, until he had come up with a plan. At nearly 11:30 Thursday night, I wasn't looking forward to the 4:30 AM wake-up call.

If you've read my early running blogs, you will find that running is mostly mental. I struggle with my "running confidence" and Friday morning was no different. Thirty minutes prior to my alarm, I was awake and grumbling. However, I have found that once I put money on a race, I am more apt to train, so off I went, head lamp on lighting the way. At mile three I was feeling good. At mile six I could feel the finish line and by mile 8.5 I was hot, sweaty and happy. The route took me through rolling Citrus Heights, into Fair Oaks and down to the American River Bike Trail and back. I wouldn't want to run it on a busy afternoon (there would be too many cars on part of the route), but it was lovely in the early morning. Seeing the sun come up while on a run is amazing. It's like the world started its day just for me.

Emerging

So, what is it now? What's the drama? The heartache? The pressure? What am I "emerging" from? Nothing. I am emerging into something fierce. I am blossoming, growing, expanding the boundaries of how I identify myself and there is something magical about it. Exciting. Electric!

In five years, how will I have redefined myself? That is the question. Who do I want to be? Maybe you can help me answer that.

For now, let's start with a few new things. First, I'm a vegetarian. It took me eight months to stop craving meat, but it finally happened. Difficulty ensues when eating out. Why do most vegetarian sandwiches have tomatoes and cucumber? Perhaps I will open my own deli and delight the tastebuds of my community with a few new foodie tricks of my own.

Second, I've moved into a new community: Citrus Heights. Though I was sad to leave Orangevale, Citrus Heights has already afforded me new opportunities. They have neighborhood associations that I can join (have joined!), a community garden (I also joined), a City Council, Mayor and even an Arts and Historical Society. Who knew? Perhaps City Council is my next path. Then Mayor?

Third, the Task Force is closing. Well, at least operationally (we are still waiting to see what Senate Rules has to say). This means I have an opportunity to redefine my career as well. Will I go back to teaching? (Not likely in California these days with so many teachers being laid off.) Will I continue in wellness? Will I go public, or stay in the non-profit sector? Perhaps I will just take a little nap and decide later.

Fourth, I am running again...slowly. I have new goals for myself that include volunteering to assist at more races. I want to run in more 5ks and sprinkle in a half-marathon or two. Maybe someday I will run another full - we'll see how my hips and knees decide to hold up. As I edge closer to my 40th birthday in October, I want to push my limits and start the new era of my life with some fire under me!

Fifth, I discovered that I have amazing friends in the Sac area who came to my aid during all of the move and work chaos. I also discovered that I can make new friends, too. What a blessing to meet so many intelligent women through Emerge CA. They are truly going places and I hope to be joining them.

For now that's quite enough. But keep watching. Something amazing is about to happen. I can feel it!