Day 17

I've been awake since 4:00 a.m.

How could I not be when the wind is howling and heavy rain is pelting the already soggy earth, and I'm scheduled to go on my daily 5K run at 7:30 this morning?

My husband and I love the outdoors and the freshness of the chilly air is welcomed into our room each night as we leave our bedroom window open.  Normally the breeze and drizzle are comforting, sleep inducing.  Not last night.  Sounds of branches waving wildly and the autumn decorations on our front porch blowing about have left me disconcertingly awake.

I lay listening, thinking.  I was thinking about my last post, where I revealed the 5K A Day challenge I've imposed on myself, and how I was complaining about Day 5 and Day 9.  They're going to be nothing compared to today's Day 17.

We have an American flag on our front porch.  I could hear it whipping in the wind and feared it ripping right off its mount, so I got up to take it down and safely stash it next to the house.  Just as I was about to open the door to rescue it, it launched from the house.  It's still dark outside and I don't know where it landed.  I hope it's in our yard and not our neighbor's.

So now I'm awake.  I sat for a while, looking toward the street light to watch the storm out my living room window, listening for who  knows what.  It's chilly in the house so I've donned our big blue fleece Snuggie, a gag gift from a Christmas party from a couple years ago.  Wouldn't it be nice to stay this way... cozy and warm and dry?

But then again, I mused, just because it's wildly storming outside doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a bad run, or even a difficult one.  It's all in the framing.  What if I take the challenge by the horns and hold on tightly and tell myself it's going to be one wild ride, but exhilarating and fun?  Here is an interesting article about reframing our thoughts in new ways.  It's all in how I choose to look at this.

First I have to ask myself what is the worst thing that could happen.  I guess a 110 foot tall Sitka spruce tree could fall on me while I'm running down the road.  Or a car could hydroplane and swerve and hit me.  Or a pack of starving, wild wolves could stalk me and savagely attack.  But realistically, probably the worst thing that will happen is that I'll get really wet.  That's it.  I'll wear my rain jacket, the one with the wide-brimmed hood.  It's a bit chilly out, so I'll wear my gloves, too.  And I'll come home soaked.


Soaked and wild-eyed and happy and full of fire for the day.
In the time it's taken me to think and write, the wind has died down (not the rain, however).  The wind chime on my back porch is quiet now.

I'm just waiting for it to get light outside so I can lace up and go for my run.

Day 17 just might end up being a highlight in this whole challenge.