Baby, you were born to run. (Thanks Boss)

I've just recently started getting into running, which is something I honestly never thought I would do. I've always been tall and athletic, and I probably would have made a great cross country runner, but I always had so much pressure piled on top of me that I rejected a lot of sports when I was young. I was also anorexic, which made exercise a conflicted issue, and I vaguely recall one instance where my mother had to carry me off the field at a meet because I fainted. Pretty sad stuff. I started exercising again a few years ago when I was trying to deal with my boyfriend at the time being gone on tour most of the year. It was great therapy when I had a troubled student in my class the first year I ever taught photography. Working out was a way to be totally distracted and still be in touch with myself in a way that I never really understood before. Running, however, was still off limits.

Well, many things have changed in the past few years, and I've seen my mother take up exercise and even start to train for a half-marathon. My husband of 6 months wakes up at 5:30 in the morning to run before he goes to school. I still exercise regularly, but running? Mysterious...tedious...painful! I tried running to and from the gym last week, which resulted in sore ankles and a runny nose (it's too cold to run outside.) A few days ago, I got on the treadmill and ran a 13 minute mile. It wasn't as hard as I thought, and the rush that I got just knowing that I was doing something that I hadn't tried since I was a teenager was surprisingly thrilling. Yesterday I ran for almost 2 miles straight and it RULED! I was sweating like a hog, bright red in the face, hair stuck to my forehead and neck, but I felt completely in tune with how far I could go, and how harmonious my body could be. My hope is to run indoors during the winter and start running in the neighborhood when the weather permits again.

I attribute this newfound freedom to the safety and love that I get from my husband, friends and parents every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Yes, we can!

Rob and I voted first thing in the morning yesterday. After getting through the line in less than an hour, he went to school and I went on a long walk with my lovely friend Erika. I've been fighting off a nasty cold, but I was determined to stay up for the results and to hopefully hear an acceptance speech to remember. Rob and I were both stunned at how fast the results poured in, and how quickly Obama's lead over McCain grew! I remember being in Florida in 2000 when the election fracas was in full swing, and I was worried that there would be attempts to gum up the works this time too. We went to the Bryant Lake Bowl to have a beer and listen to our new president speak, and the whole experience was so moving, so thrilling, so awe inspiring. I felt a particular jolt when he announced Michelle Obama as the first lady, and I shouted without even realizing it. I have no better words now than "THIS IS SO NECESSARY, THIS IS SO WONDERFUL!" I feel so heartened and inspired to be an American today, and it's not an experience that is familiar. I acknowledge that we could be in situations far worse, but here we are, on the cusp of a tragic and embarrassing presidency and on the verge of what I hope will be a progressive and healing time for our country. And *bonus* no more political ads on tv! I hope that all of my friends and family are feeling as gratified and optimistic as I am today.