Of Fish and 5-Milers

We're all familiar with that old saying, "fish and house guests start to stink in three days."  Well. T. came to stay with us about a week ago and I am already going crazy.  Don't get me wrong; T is an absolutely charming and lovely person. She's helpful and enthusiastic and easy going. She's a terrific cook and a very talented designer.  She also likes to talk.  Alot. Especially in the morning, when she's particularly sunny.  Hint: I am NOT a morning person.

T. is all of the things that I am not , and I really think I'm going to kill her before the month is over.  But there's one thing T. isn't that I am...a runner; and this is my saving grace.  My escape is easy to execute.  Just throw on my shorts and lace up my shoes and out the door I go into the beautiful, focused, quiet aloneness that is my long run.  Here, I am not entertaining, I am alone with my private thoughts.  Here I can work it out; the impossible boss, the hospital bills, the 3 month old puppies that refuse to be housebroken.  

In some ways, I think that this is why I was attracted to running in the first place.  At it's core, its an escape - a place where you can legitimately be alone with yourself.  No one gets mad because quite frankly, most people really don't want to go there with you: "No, I don't get bored when I run," "No, I don't have problems with my knees."

T. complains about her weight and focuses on calorie-counting to near obsession. She's missed her morning walk 3 days out of the 5 she's been here.

I guess I'm really lucky.  I've found something in my life that I truly love and that is incredibly beneficial to me and everyone around me.  And yes...admittedly I do sometimes use it as an escape from reality...but hey, it's better than homicide. right?

- Quilt Image: Omega-3 Boogie by Marjorie DeQuincy

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