Epiphany!! (courtesy of Robert Frost)

Yesterday I had a most triumphant run in southern Provo.

After hearing Kit talk about the Splash and Dash next week (and try to convince anyone who crossed his path to sign up with him), I got super antsy sitting in Econ.

So, in a rash (and slightly irresponsible) move, I went home after my Econ class. I had two hours before I had to be back on campus for biology, a work meeting, and work.

I quickly changed. Put on my tennis shoes, borrowed a Nike ear cover-er (thanks Dani!) and was about to grab my iPod as I bounded out the door. Instead, I ripped two pieces of paper out of one of my notebooks, folded them up and stuck them in my pocket.

Rather than blasting my brain with Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, and Miley Cyrus, I ran alone, in the quiet. To occupy my mind, I began reciting poems. Poems are perfect because they have a rhythm, they are easy to remember, and often have multiple levels of meaning. I started with "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost and "Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree" by Elizabeth Poston (?)

Halfway through my run, it started to hail. Didn't phase me.
I had several successful "spitting incidents" and one unsuccessful one. Girls just don't know how to spit. Didn't phase me.
I went about 2.4 miles (which I know exactly because of mapmyrun.com). Didn't phase me.
I was tired-ish, but I could have kept going.

Giving my brain something productive and uplifting to focus on (scriptures, poems) is probably the best thing that happened to my running career. How did I not see this? Not only do I feel good physically after I've run, but I think about things that I enjoy thinking about.

I mean, there is a place for Miley, Chris, and Rihanna, but not always. If I'm not careful, I'll blast out my own thoughts.

By the time I run the Red Rock Relay, I should have a whole repertoire of memorized verses and scriptures.

I dare you to test me.