run kt run

It's 4:00 and I start looking at my watch. I pick up the phone...ring...ring. Josh answers, "hey squirty what's up?"
"Oh, hey shua, not much", I say. "Just wondering how things were going. Reminding you that today is my running day. When do you think you'll be able to leave?"
"I am not sure, things are crazy. But I won't forget your run."
I have been preparing all day for my run. I have been hydrating and eating appropriately. All with my future run in mind. As 5:00 nears I wait by the phone for Josh's call saying he's on the highway. Today he's running late. Not surprising. Nothing is predictable in his line of work.
It's 6:00 and I finally get the call that he's on the highway. Nia and I go outside to waste the 40 minutes we will have to wait while he is sitting in Atlanta traffic. My shoes are laced up, my playlist is ready to go on my ipod, and Lucy's leash is nearby.
Josh comes careening down the hill and throws the truck into park. He knows how important my runs are. He knows how cranky I am if I don't get to run. He comes in the door, gives me a peck on the cheek and I am gone. I am like a caged bird that has been set free. I head up the hill and before I know it my legs are doing what they do best, running. I feel like I am doing what I was made to do. My legs move to the rhythm of the music blasting through my headphones. I LOVE it. Lucy, my faithful dog is running by my side. It is my time and I am going to kick some ass. I love pushing myself a little farther. I love going up just one more hill. I love running just a couple more miles. I love the pain because I know it makes me stronger. I love the feeling afterwards. I love the pride.
Today, about a mile into my run I passed a couple sitting on a bench. This couple stuck in my mind because the guy had a mowhawk. As I ran past them, I gave them a friendly head nod. I continued to run and run and run. I ran a lot farther than I was planning today and about an hour and 7 miles later, I saw this same couple walking through the park. They heard something coming behind them and I saw the mowhawk guy grinning. As I came up beside them he stuck out his hand for me to give him 5. I proudly gave his hand a slap and continued on my way. I felt so proud and continued to haul it the remaining mile I had left.
I run because I love being strong, I run because I am good at it, and I run because I love it.