The morning run didn’t happen (kids slow to school); the lunchtime run didn’t happen (neither did eating); the 2pm run didn’t happen (another meeting got squeezed in).
At 5.15pm as I sat at my wfh desk, in my pristine activewear that hadn’t moved more than 100m all day, I noticed the light starting to fade and I realised it was now or never. So I decided to go for a run.
Not only did I physically move my body after a hard day’s slog, but I put my senses to work too…
– my eyes had to look hard for the dips that I knew were lurking in the grass but could barely see in this low light;
– my ears were hearing my usual tunes, but also to my heart beating (I’m still a little bit afraid of the dark and I think I ran extra fast just to get home!)
– my skin wasn’t quite as hot as when I go in the daytime (don’t get me wrong, I still had a red beetroot running face, but I cooled off quicker).
– my nose was expecting to snaffle up the smell of horse poo (I ran around the edge of a racecourse), but it just wasn’t there…I now know it is stronger in the morning (just in case you wanted to you 😉 )
Had I not gone running at this time I would not have seen these beautiful tree silhouettes 💜
It wasn’t my favourite run, but I was so glad to finally move after a day of sitting, especially sitting in disappointment every time my chance to run was snapped away.
My body moved and my mind moved too. Here’s what I learnt:
1. doing the same thing differently leads to new thought processes – der, so simple, I knew this but didn’t really think about it much before or how easy it is to actually achieve!
2. planning often leads to disappointment when other things get in the way. Something else I knew, it realistically we do need some plans…so I walked away (ran away) telling myself that I would lower my expectations.
3. there is no perfect time. There is just time. Seize the moment even if conditions aren’t what you hoped for.
4. our senses are amazing and I perhaps take them for granted. Giving my senses a chance to adapt was so grounding. I really felt them working and it made me feel alive.
5. wearing active gear all day made me feel sad, sitting there hoping. It was handy to be ready, but at my desk I should have been focused on working not thinking of running. I really need to work harder at doing one thing at a time, really paying attention to individual tasks and not using the reward of things I really love to get me through the less interesting things (Ha…my adhd brain is really laughing at me right now!)
Over and out for another week. Whatever your ‘it’ is, try switching it up…your senses will thank you.
Love Stripes & Trees xxx
Stripes & Trees 