A-Kid-At-Heart's Perspective on Running

Running.

Now. I must preface this hub with a definition. My own definition. I didn't get this from Wikipedia or Websters if you're worried about copyright infringement. A Kid-At-Heart, for those of you who don't know, is defined as: (n.) An individual who has not entirely lost their childlike sense of wonder. Someone who, late at night, still believes in magic. A person who has resisted the gradual erosion of their spirit by uncontrollable forces known as "Reality," and everyday effects of the "real world." Now that we're all mostly on the same page, www.hubpages.com, (see what I did there?) I will continue with this hub and my own personal take on running. Enjoy.

Most of us have indulged in the age-old exercise of running. As children, we played tag. Or had foot races, played hide and seek, football, or maybe you just spun and twirled with your head flung back staring at the sky until you could no longer stand. For some of us, it's been quite a long time since we've done any of these things. For some, it was just yesterday during our annual ultimate frisbee showdown. In any case, running is a great way to let off steam, get healthy, and indulge your childish conscious that keeps telling you to play.

One of the big Up-and-coming popular trends is 5K runs. I recently just ran my first, last month. It was a phenomenal experience. I did have a friend go with me, because it was after the sun had set and my father would have ranted at me for hours if I hadn't planned on bringing a friend. A 5K is approximately 3.1 miles long, so there was quite a bit of running, but what I enjoyed most was the concert they had afterwards. I went to the Neon Run in Orlando, FL. I had known they were having live entertainment after, but I had no idea how big the speakers would be! The whole experience is one great big colorful memory of aching legs.

You know when you get caught in a torrential downpour? You know the ones. They happen randomly and without warning while you're walking to work, or maybe to your car. You put your hood up and walk, hearing your mother complain that you only get wetter the more you run. But boy is the rain coming down. The cats and dogs might be next. So you start running anyways, holding your hood over your head with one hand. Your clothes are nearly soaked through the front, and you're splashing water up your back with each step. You've made it, you dash inside and slam the door, taking a second to catch your breath and dump your soaking bag in the seat next to you, or on the floor by the door. Your whole body is alive. You're shivering possibly, but your limbs are loose and you find yourself smiling, despite being sopping and cold.

Running is as close as we can get to flight, without any equipment other than shoes. The wind winds it's way through your hair, your leg muscles expand and contract, the pavement flows by underneath. The methodical and rhythmic pounding of your shoes on the pavement make the beat of a metronome, a cathartic pulse in your soles and ears. And your breath comes faster, sucked away by the excursion, but it feels amazing, so you keep going. You keep running until you just can't anymore. But when you're standing there, sucking in oxygen, sweat pooling on your neck and back, you feel alive.

Running has become a very important part in my life. I've always enjoyed running through the woods as a young (tom-boy) lady, but now I enjoy stretching my muscles and relieving stress by running in circles around the track. (Dad insists its safer there.) On days when I'm not tracking how far or fast I go, I like to bolt down as fast as I can and see how far I can get before I need to stop. And if you have kids, or if you're like me and has a best friend who has children, you'll know how important it is to be ready to run. So next time you're babysitting or maybe attempting to unbore your children, head outside and play tag. Or you could teach them how to spin and spin until they fall down. (Yes, it's still a favorite of mine.) Happy running!

Larael,
*Professional Kid-At-Heart*
You should definitely try this at home.