Happy Halloween

Born to Run

I read Born to Run a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. It almost brought me to tears by the end because I was so invested in the characters. It sent me on a journey to rediscover why I love running. The last 6 months or so I have lost motivation in most aspects of my life and running was no exception. I still ran, but it was very mechanical and just because I knew I needed to do it to keep me going. Why did I need to run? I had forgotten. I remember someone asking me about why I run and I didn’t have much of a response. I said something about loving it that contained virtually no substance and I came away wondering why I love to run. I couldn’t answer that question and in August I could hardly force myself out the door anymore. In September I discovered Born to Run. In the book they talk about all these people who LOVE to run. They were people who discovered a passion for running that fueled their lives and I knew I could relate. Yet, I couldn’t at the moment. It was more I knew that at some time in my life I could have related.

The book gives a lot of information and some research about long distance (ultra) running, trail running, and barefoot running. I had been extremely skeptical about barefoot running before and I am not sold to the point that I will be out there barefoot all the time but I have tried it.  I would like to try more trail running, though nothing too steep. I have no ambition to become an ultra-marathon runner, or even a marathon runner, but I do believe I was born to run. I don’t think the book was purporting to have all the answers, and I liked that. I felt it really was just trying to show a side of running that hasn’t been mainstream, and ask some important questions.

In the middle of reading I ran a half marathon, and it was my slowest to date. I had become pretty focused on getting a faster time but ended up being happy to finish as well as I had. I asked myself again, why do I run? Still no answer. I didn’t run for a week after I got back from my race and in that time I finished the book. Finally, I went out and ran 3 miles without a gps and without my ipod. The weather was beautiful and I was just happy. I couldn’t stop smiling and there was nowhere else I wanted to be. I had been stressed earlier in the day but that didn’t matter. I could think more clearly and even forget what was worrying me. I remembered why I run. I knew why through all those hard times I kept telling myself that I need to run. Running is freeing. It’s a time when I take control. It clears me of strong emotion and lets me just be. It’s a time when I conquer my body and my mind and listen to my spirit. Running keeps me sane, keeps me focused, and returns me to center, but only if I let it. I’d made running about the time and made it into something I had to do instead of letting it be something I want, need and love.

 I'm glad I didn't give up on running and that it's still here for me.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 The best part of the whole experience was just exploring Hogsmead and Hogwarts. It took us more then half a day and it really isn't that big. The merchandise is all fun to look at as well and often hard to resist. I'd have to say none of the rides were really worth the journey. The one in the castle made my mom and I both nauseous and was quite scary with all the dementors.

 

We arrived on the Hogwarts Express. Okay, you cant actually get on it but it was still pretty cool.

You can go in Hogwarts and wander around a little, mostly while you are in line. We spent a while in Dumbledore's office. He gave us a lot of advice. One such piece was to choose what is right even when it is not the easy choice.

These paintings were discussing Harry and his accomplishments.

On the grounds we discovered the runaway Ford Anglia.

 

Hogsmead, despite the snow it was very warm and sunny.

We had lunch at the Hogshead and enjoyed some butterbeer. Yum!

We got some postcards and things at the Owl Post.

We also checked out the wands at Olivander's. Though I am not sure why his shop is now in Hogsmead. I guess he had closed his shop in Diagon Alley so may as well reopen here.