Night Running Deserves a Quiet Night

(Note: An alternate title for this post was “Born to Run,” but I couldn’t succumb to having 2 of my first 3 posts be named after songs by Jersey rockers, despite my love for Bruce. That would be a serious nerd alert.)

My love for running has now spanned an entire decade. I have put in some especially good mileage this year, considering it helps lessen the stress of deployment. I’ve always run for the same reasons since I was 13 I’ve realized- to work out what’s on my mind or take my mind off what’s bugging me, depending on the day. Tonight’s motivation was simply because I wanted to run. I focused on nothing other than the music my earbuds blasted into my head, which is rare. Tonight’s choice? The new White Crosses album by Against Me, followed by some Kid Sister.

It’s been a few weeks since I opted for running outside instead of on a treadmill, since the Texas heat makes it nearly impossible to run outside for more than a mile without wanting to pass the hell out. Not to mention, running in the dark in Killeen is asking for something awful to happen. So, my lazy ass woke up from a much needed nap (talked to Shane until 2am last night) at around 8:30, and then I drove onto Fort Hood, where I feel completely safe on a lit path that other people are always on. At 9 pm, a chilly 87 degrees is perfect for a night run.

I’m proud to say I’ve been running for 10 years. I may not be up for running a marathon anytime soon, because I still can’t imagine how I wouldn’t die somewhere between mile 6 and 26, but I’m happy with where I’m at. I do have a big bad 5K coming up on August 14th though.

Hooray for the weekend almost being here. I am seriously considering getting some new ink on Saturday. Well, more like adding on to an existing tattoo, but we’ll see if I follow through. I want to transform my black and white flower piece on my right shoulder into a color one, and I want to add another flower onto it to continue onto my back because I love flowers.

After all, I am a Gardiner.