I am FULL.

I penciled in a 3:30pm run today and all throughout the day I kept a "running" list of excuses as to why 3:30pm was not a good time to run . . .

1) I am tired
2) I didn't eat enough
3) It would get dark
4) It is cold out
5) I already ran this week . . . twice.
6) I am tired
7) I have too much work to do
8) I should do chores
9) I already have a lot of laundry to do
10) I need to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving
11) Man, I am tired
12) I just want to be hang out
13) I might be late for my 5pm call
14) It's not worth it if I don't run more than 3 miles
15) I have 2 races this week . . . I am fine
16) Gosh . . . could I be more tired?

And on . . . and on . . . and on . . . and on . . . and then I put on my running clothes and walked out the door . . . only 17 minutes behind schedule.

I wanted an easy, mellow run so Missy Higgins was the artist of choice . . . and trust me I understand the oddity of running to Missy Higgins. 

It didn't take long for me to feel that unbelieveable feeling that only running brings . . . the disconnect of mind and body that leaves me wondering how my appendages can move when my mind has no concious awareness or thought to keep doing just that. 

While Missy sang I watched the cool, cloudy sunset turning blazing orange, then purple.  At several points the only way I could describe myself was thank-FULL.  Thankful for my health.  Thankful for my sole sisters near and far.  Thankful for my body's ability to move.  Thankful for my grandpa who sent me a sweet email this morning.  Thankful for my sister who has decided to try running because my attempt at doing so is apparently inspiring.  Thankful for my husband who is so patient as I fall in and out of love with exercise.  Thankful for my clothes that keep me warm.  Thankful for the streets I can run on while feeling safe.  Thankful for my job that gives me the flexibility to run while the sun comes up or run while the sun goes down.  Thankful for my dad who taught me to appreciate the little things that often seem mundane.  Thankful for my dog who would greet me upon my return even if
I crawled home.  Thankful that self-doubt propelled me to prove myself wrong through simply putting one foot in front of the the other.

Running makes me feel FULL . . . thank FULL, FULL of life, FULL of energy, FULLy alive.  I realized today that not running also leaves me full . . . of excuses.  And because I abandoned the long list typed above I am ending my day completely thankFULL.