I wake up early and run long every Saturday morning (with the ever-so-wonderful =PR= Distance Training group) while marathon training. Because of this, you might think I would take the chance on Sunday to sleep in and ease into the day rather than rising early and getting myself out the door for more running. But you would be wrong.
As a mother of three kids who all *regularly* rise before the rooster crows, “sleeping in” is a distant memory for me and my husband. Whether or not we want to, we are waking up and starting our day very early each and every morning thanks to our little ones. It’s just the way it is around here.
So when Sunday morning rolls around and I have to get to Run Club by 8:30AM, it feels somewhat indulgent to me – like a big sweet treat to top off my week. I look forward to it with a happy and very thankful heart. I’m excited to go – to spend time with friends both new and old, to run together, to strengthen and stretch our bodies and to catch up.
We start out with about 20 minutes of Pilates mat exercises – waking up the connection to our bodies and the strength that resides within each one of us (physical, emotional and mental). As we move through the exercises we are both humbled by the awareness of our imbalances and assured by our increasing strength. Maybe we can do things we couldn’t do last week, maybe we are more flexible or stronger than we were a month ago. Or maybe not. Moving our bodies through Pilates will open our hearts and our minds to what is there and it will bring healing and restore our strength.
It is so so good.
After our Pilates session we put our shoes on and layer up, get out on the trail and continue the movement outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Many of us run, several do a walk/run combo and still others walk briskly. We are all moving at a pace that works for us, and that is what is important.
Run Club is a celebration of movement. It is a celebration of healing, of friendships and of strength. I look forward to it every week. If you live in the area, please come join us sometime! No RSVP or experience necessary – just come dressed and ready to move!
