Cheek to Cheek

5 Miles today.... I have to admit... I was a little nervous and scared to lace up and hit the pavement today, after my run on Sunday.





I slept amazing...so much so that Dbek2 came in and told me goodbye as he was headed out for school. It has been a LONG time since I have done that.





JB and I had talked about running/riding this AM, since Dbek2 had basketball tonight. So...I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled through the house, having a pretty good idea coffee was nowhere in my immediate future.





I asked JB if he was still up for riding with me while I ran...'Yep... have you been outside?' he asks me. He informed me that the sun was deceiving...and it was cold. 16 degrees and felt like 7????? Seriously?





Bread was in the toaster, waiting for it's blanket of peanut butter. Gaige was in the door of the kitchen, creating the oh so big puddle of slimy slobber....this is our routine. I butter the toast and he gets to lick the knife... Then the crazy cat steps in the slobber and starts batting his paw uncontrollably. It is quite comical to watch these two as we prepare for running/riding.





So we bundled, bundled a little more and then some more. I laced up the new Kayano 17 shoes that I got for Christmas and we headed out the door. As my feet hit the pavement, my legs felt so tight and not willing to loosen up. I am sure my muscles didn't want to be in the cold.





JB and I were quiet for the first 3 blocks and then he asks me 'Are your cheeks cold?' I turned to look at him....bundled like the little kid in Christmas Story. (I can't believe that he truly bundles up to ride with me and FREEZE. It is so much colder on the bike.) As my lips and face were already stiff from the cold, I asked 'The ones on my face or on my backside?'.... All laughs and smiles. That was the turning point of the run for me... I knew it was going to be good.





As we approached P HWY, it was apparent that Christmas vacation was over for the kids and most adults. The traffic was heavy. Crossing over 60 and approaching the railroad tracks, the cross arms lowered... I did not want to stop running and wait and I did not want to detour from the known 5 mile route...but we did anyway. So we ran the road by the old E1, E2 and middle school buildings. WOW, I do not miss the crazy traffic in there. BUT, I must say.... the drivers were very polite and courteous to the crazy runner and cyclist that were dodging cars and buses.





The upside about all of the traffic and change in route? It distracted me from the tight muscles and the cold and I was over 1/2 through the run already. By the time we turned onto Hines and headed to HWY 60, I realized my muscles were lose...legs were moving right along like clock work, no knee pain, no ankle pain...





We made a little detour to McDonalds. Again, JB is so awesome and supportive...I came out and couldn't find him at first... he was soaking up the sun like a teabag in a water jug on a summer day, except he just wanted to warm up.





As we were finishing up the last 8/10 of a mile, I decided to conquer the hill at Cully and Valley View.... It beat me so many times last summer, that I have avoided it every run. I beat it today... Looking at it now, it's like saying I beat a 7 year old at basketball...it is such a short hill... and not a big deal.





The last 6 blocks of the run/ride... One of the best talks with JB. I love our run/rides... great conversation with no interruption of phone, text, computers... Even though we were both freezing and eyes gushing water, to keep from drying out...I wouldn't trade today's run for anything.





I did not come close to running my personal best during today's run, but I did enjoy the run and thankful that my body allows me to get out and do this.





I think we tend to take walking, running, swinging a golf club, dribbling a basketball and any other physical activity for granted.





My sister, who is a runner and was training for a marathon, had a significant knee injury this last fall. That was all taken away from her, temporarily, and it has been difficult for her. I couldn't imagine running being taken away from me...it is in my blood. So, until my body decides to tell me that I can't run anymore, I run for my sister, I run for those who can't run. I know it is a gift and am thankful for it each time I lace up.



As I wrap today's run up...When JB and I came in.... both the cheeks on our face and on our backsides were COLD!!!! After a hot shower and hot cup of coffee, JB and I went into the lounge area to start our day... there he sat in his chair, bundled up with the little heater right on his feet to warm up.

I don't have any followers on this blog right now, but if there is someone out there that may read this.... try lacing up and hitting the pavement.... It is life changing... for the good!!!!

Here's to Cheeks!!!!