- …the longer I can run at once. Back in June, I couldn’t even complete a quarter of a mile without stopping to catch my wheezy breath and lean forward to not pass out. Now on a good day I can run a solid five miles without stopping. On a bad day, I still run two miles easily. I look forward to the day when a five mile run is short for me and a half marathon is on the horizon.
- …the better I can breathe in general.
- ...the stronger my tummy feels. I am shocked by how much secondary conditioning you grab without even meaning to!
- …the longer my legs look.
- …the happier I am on a daily basis. After running, on sad days I feel more settled and centered and on already great days I feel downright jubilant!
- …the clearer my thoughts are. Mostly. (It is still me, after all.)
- …the less I feel bloated, which feels GREAT, so the less I drink soda to ruin that feeling. Since the only soda I drink is Diet Coke, drinking less is a huge benefit to me in the long run.
- …the more I drink cold, clear, ice-less water. Like, by the QUART. All day long.
- ...the more often I brush my teeth throughout the day. Not sure why this happens, maybe because of the water guzzling? I like the feeling of a super clean mouth?
- …the less I crave sweets, including “filler” type breads and potatoes.
- …and the more I crave veggies.
- …the looser my jeans and yoga pants fit. Even wet or straight out of the dryer. This has been a terribly slow progression, but a progression nonetheless.
- …the more I enjoy Pilates or yoga, maybe because I am all warmed up? Or because I know I am doing something to compliment the run? Not sure, but it’s a clear benefit. The more I run, the stronger I am. Period.
- …the better I am able to work efficiently around the farm. Running actually increases my energy, which is a very good thing.
- …the more I feel inspired to tackle other projects. Both mental and physical challenges are way more easily met.
- ...the better I understand my husband. Why? Not because he’s a runner (he certainly is not and makes no apologies for this), but because while running I tend to listen to a lot of white-boy rap, his soundtrack of choice during high school, when we didn’t know each other. Also, now I finally know ALL of the lyrics to Teach Me How to Dougie. Bring on the karaoke.
- …the closer I feel to the youngsters who have inspired me (my own beautiful Jocelyn and my two handsome nephews, Dante, and Matt…) I am beginning to understand why teenagers love their Cross Country teams so much.
- ...the better my skin looks, more or less. I wear sunscreen at the farm, even when it’s cool out, but I think that better circulation gives me the appearance of sunshine. LOL
- …the more cuddly our two biggest horse become. I mean, Chanta is always a lover, but Daphne, my moody mare, seems to tolerate me more since I have been using her back field for these half-hour adventures in sweat. I am guessing she likes that seeing me outside does not always equal me demanding something of her. Fair enough.