Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands.

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 63.59
Miles to Rivendell: 394.41

Hey look a smile!

I had to quote a little bit of Legally Blonde after this run. Not only was the ENTIRE run absolutely enjoyable (every step), but I feel as though I've crossed another threshold.

Even Wednesday the run was getting me tired and worn out (though a lot of that might have had to do with the heat and humidity). Monday and Wednesday were just HARD. But today I could run 5 minutes straight without losing my breath or getting a crazy fast heart rate. I felt as if I could run for miles at a time. When I crossed that first threshold, I felt as if I could just keep on running, but I was so tired. I pushed on, knowing I didn't have to stop, but I was still tired. Now? Now I felt energized even as I ran. It was remarkable.

I didn't push myself as hard as I might have. I'm a bit too close to my 5K race to do that. I don't want to hurt myself when I'm so close! At the rate I was running, and how easy it was, I feel so much more confident than I did last week. All my hard work is paying off, and it feels amazing. 

Next week is going to be hard, but I'm looking forward to it. Work has been so busy, what with graduation season, but I'm trying to give it my all. I've thought a little bit about vocations lately (it's the Lutheran in me), about how work is my vocation, just as being a Christian, being a writer, and now, being a runner. Running has helped me in a lot of ways so far, and not just physically. I don't have to think about anything at all while I run, and as someone diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, that's exactly what I need. A time to shut off all the crappy thoughts and just focus on the moment. It's something I can dedicate myself to, a little bit out of a day. Something I can give my all to and be the best I can be, for me.

It's one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life.