Hey running. It’s not you. It’s me.

It’s only natural to want an explanation when things go south in a relationship. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a “It’s not you, it’s me” conversation.

But let me assure you dear readers, we were just on a break. That means we haven’t officially gone our separate ways but we needed a little time, a little space away from each other.

I put my head down and began a teaching course in mid-September, just days after responding to the last of the Lost Soul “congrats” texts. Still on a runner’s high from the feat I settled into a simple no-room-for-surprises routine of work-class-work-class.

At first I didn’t notice something was missing in my life. I was knee deep in grammar books, lesson plans and assignments. But as weekend after weekend passed, I was starting to get that itch to start things up again. I played the field a little with a short run here and there along the Bow River pathways. There was the time I had a hot and sweaty fling along Nose Hill but I knew it wouldn’t last. Every time I went out for a run, guilt would set in. I should be working, studying, designing …. etc

Because clearly that’s how my brain works.

I am happy to say the break is over. And not a moment too soon. My chiropractor gave me a semi-lecture this morning about how the sitting is killing me. Well not quite in those words, but he did say I have extremely tight hip flexors thanks to all the sitting in front of screens.

I’m reading to dive back into the running game. My course is nearly over but all the heavy lifting is over so my brain can relax.

And in all honestly, I think the time apart strengthened our relationship. As they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes you need that space to think things through and figure out what’s important to you.

Let me lay my heart on the line …. oh running, how I missed you so! As a getting back together gift, I picked up a new winter running jacket because nothing says love like new gear.

I can’t wait to get back into the run of things. Two left over races next year thanks to the pandemic is already in my 2022 calendar. What I would really like to do is run somewhere new in 2022. Any suggestions?

That said of course I already feel like I am behind in training. This weekend I have big plans in the mountains with friends. Sometime over the last two months, I forgot that I was chasing a vert goal for 2022. I’m not too worried because I have a month left of 2021 to get some serious elevation gain in.

What’s that feeling when you’re in a new relationship? The honeymoon phase? I am in.

Do you have a tumultuous relationship with running? Have you ever been on a break? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.