Marathon Monday Is Almost Here

Boston's getting ready.

And me? I'm just getting ready for the next run.

God, I love new shoes.

I Just Want to Dance

I just want to dance.

Whether it's to this...

Or this...

I have music playing non-stop... which means I'm always dancing. You see the girl on the T, tapping out a beat with her foot? That's me. You see the girl on the street, whose shoulders are swaying a little? That's me.

I don't have enough time to dance though. I mentally committed to running a marathon. The next Boston Marathon. So, I've been applying for charity runner entries through a number of organizations. And I'm waiting to hear back. In the meantime, I'm going out for three or four long runs a week and preparing myself for early, chilly runs for the next five months.

But I always have a back-up plan. If I don't get an entry, I'm going to get serious about dancing. It's been a long time since I gave it enough of my time. And I just want to dance.

Gratitude

I'm walking across the Beacon Street overpass near Fenway. There's absolutely nothing attractive about this overpass. The barrier walls are cement topped with wire; the Mass Pike is below.

I ran across this overpass during the Boston Marathon a few years ago. I remember looking up at the Citgo sign and feeling --- not knowing, but feeling --- that the finish line was near. I had never seen the Citgo sign before that day. There were strong winds and few crowds on the overpass. I ran through the tunnel of wind and then descended into a tunnel of noise as the crowds got bigger and bigger close to Copley Square. I picked up a little speed, as much as I possibly could.

I ran that day with a pinched nerve and I finished. I've liked the overpass ever since. And I've crossed it many times in late night runs.

Today, I'm walking quickly. And I stop. I stop and I stand there. Because I'm grateful. I'm grateful for finishing that Marathon. I'm grateful for all my body does and for all that I put it through. On Monday, I'll start training again for a 10K. And I've never had to give it a second thought. I know I can run.

I'm grateful to this piece of concrete that always reminds me of the power of my body and the sheer force of my will.

And I'm grateful to Boston for giving me this moment.