Monday, April 29, 2013

In The Shadows

Every once and a while something happens or I catch something out of the corner of my eye that brings a smile to my face of how worth it this all was for me.

Or even sparks a little moment of "wow, I love being me and where I am at now."

Before I tell you what it was, a bit of history.

Last fall, somewhere around late October or early November, I started running.

I had not done so with any regularity since HS. I did stopped after knee trouble and switched to cycling.

It started with both the BF and I wanting to get into better shape. Plus we have been toying with the idea of a co-ed adult recreational soccer league.

He played Varsity in HS and I as a child, plus intramural in HS along with pickup for a few years after.

It, however, has been a while for both of us.

Thus we started running.

Together as often as our schedules allow. Which is what I really enjoy, but also on our own to keep getting in shape.

I have been running pretty steadily since then, most of the time five days a week. Even in the snow and cold weather(though I have not been out when it has been below zero like some. /wink)

Still it has been dark or getting dark most of the time I have been out, since I go running usually right after work during the week. Plus with all the gloomy weather here in the Midwest I have been out on a lot of cloudy overcast days.

Which brings me to a very recent weekend.

I was out running and it was actually a nice day. Fairly warm with a cool breeze with very few clouds in the sky.

The noticeable difference was the late afternoon sun, bright and shiny, even if it was not truly warm out.

This made me enjoy not being bundled up in three layers trudging through the snow to get a run in. Not that I don't enjoy winter, and some of my runs have been hauntingly beautiful as I ran through a snow fall.

It was just time for a break from it.

Now I bet you are wondering what I noticed besides a nice cool but sunny day?

Well there I was near the end of my run, turning to finally face due East as I ran one of the last legs toward home.

When motion on the ground in front of me caught my eye.

Bringing my eyes downward to figure out what it was.

At first glance I did not notice anything but the top of my shadow. (I did mention the sun being out and right behind me)

Then I saw it.

There was not an object or animal causing the motion.

No it was my shadow itself...

...as my pony tail rhythmically swayed behind my head as I jogged down the street.

I am sure if anyone saw me at that moment I would have had a silly grin on my face.

It is crazy how something so simple can affect ones mood so profoundly.

Amazing that I am at this point in my life today.

Simply enjoying seeing the swish of my ponytail in my shadow on the ground while going for a run.

3 comments:

Stace said...

Yeah... It's wonderful when you can see yourself in the shadow isn't it :)

Since November I've been running 3 times a week (I do cardio and knee strength exercises in home the other 2). I had a few woohoo moments. One when I could run without my red light band on my arm (running through the countryside at night can be spooky...) and when I could run without my jacket - so much nicer!

I ran in snow (and below 0 - brrr...) but called the line at ice - I didn't fancy breaking my ankle!

Enjoy the running, football (and of) course the pony tail!

Stace

Cassidy said...

Good for you, sweetie! It's these little moments that really add up, I can imagine. :c)

I'm afraid I don't have a ponytail, alas (at least, not yet), but I did have a somewhat similar incident happen tonight.

I came home from my walk (no running for this girl, given my balky ankle) and hopped in the shower while my dinner was warming up.

I was toweling off while walking into the living room to catch the beginning of Monday Night Baseball when I stubbed my middle toe. (Yes, I am a total klutz, I know!)

I was hopping around in agony and coming up with a surprisingly robust string of expletives when I suddenly caught sight of myself in a mirror I had propped against the wall prior to hanging it. I stopped and stared in wonder.

"Wow... I have *really* long legs!" I thought.

Then the pain kicked in and I started hopping around like an idiot again. lol

Glad your revelation was less painful, Miss K!

Hugs,
Cass

Jenna said...

I've managed a few runs while working away, its nice to be able to get out and discover parts of a new area while getting some much needed exercise. I did draw the line at running when it had snowed or was icy.
Last couple of weeks I've taken my bike with me and gone further afield, some lovely countryside around where I was staying. I could easily think of moving there simply for the fact that it has such lovely areas to cycle.