Running and Ice. Do not Mix.

Early morning dawns. Her worn blue tennis shoes hit the rocky

pavement. It’s the same, simple road she runs every morning, yet each

day the meanderings of the path calm and refresh her. Left. Right. Left.

Breathing deeply, she forces her legs to keep moving. “Push. Push.

Push,” she softly murmurs to herself. “Just a few more miles.”

Uncomplicated, undemanding, this simple path requires nothing of her.

Her jumbled thoughts, overwhelming to-do lists, and stressful demands

of the day all seem to fade into the background. Everything becomes

still, quiet even. It’s simply her and the pavement. She can’t help

but feel free.

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I love running. It's true.

I love the rush of feeling my heart beating quickly, sweat pouring down

my face, and the achy feeling in my legs as I finally round the corner

of Jenkins on the final stretch. Forcing my legs and knobby knees

to cooperate with me is such a challenge, and one I am sure I will

never grow weary of.

There's something about listening to a good country song and

letting the wind carry you where it will.

This week, however, ice decided to grace us with its unloveable

presence. Throwing a severe problem into my already-so-behind

running schedule, I couldn't help but be supremely frustrated being

stuck in my apartment for four days.

Even today, finally venturing out into the world, I was unable to

run my usual route. Let me just say, running is all about the

route you take. As a good friend of mine once said, "Running is

about the journey, not the destination."

With treadmills, this journey is completely thwarted.

Let's just say these horrid machines suck the joy out of strapping on

my favorite pair of blue sneakers.

It's... just... awful.

Instead of being surrounded by beauty and life, you're stuck in a gym

next to a double-zero Pi Phi, who seems to be in an unnannounced

competition with you. Her thick, blonde locks bounced perfectly in sink

with her strides, whereas my short strands struggled to stay in place.

Her thumb presses the "Increase" button with resounding confidence

as I continue praying I don't collapse mid stride.

That'd be embarrassing.

I miss running.

By myself.

Without the monotonous treadmill setting the pace for me.

Going from street to street.

Ice melt away soon, please.