My Safe Haven

As I left class last Thursday I found it interesting the assignment given while we were there - place we are familiar with. For me it wasn't necessarily a place but something I do that makes me feel in control. It is my ability to run, hence the name I came up with for my blog address.

Since high school running has given me a type of satisfaction for my own soul. I feel as if I have total control on what I do and the decision will only affect me. It gives me a piece of mind that puts me in a place that no one can touch and provides me a sense of security and sanity. I am able to do my own thinking - it is my alone (and sane time) away from everything that seems to burden me or bother me at that time. I have found it to be a type of salvation for me.

Why running? I could just as easily sit down and read a book or have a drink. Not sure if either one of those would give me that closure or self-satisfaction that I find in running. I think at times it is my escape from reality. I am enclosed in this little world of mine. I run by myself without any music or technology of any kind attached to me. I find this advantageous because I am able to be completely aware of my surroundings. I can easily focus in on my mood and create a that safe haven of mine that no one can touch - I am at peace with myself.

So...in looking back I guess the place I'm familiar with is nature and the ability to search out my own desire to be complete. Looking back on how many years I have been running there is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes to mind. I always wanted to run a marathon and with some of the directions and paths I chose in my life it was postponed. After getting married and having two children it was time, once again, to move forward and find that "whole" for me. I finally gave myself a 40 year old birthday present and ran my first marathon. Training was intense but the outcome and the way I felt after was one of utter happiness and pride. I was able to once again prove to myself that I have the ability to do anything once my mind is set and I am willing to do it. I have run other half and full marathons since then. My next goal - train and qualify for Boston. A dream that I have and hope to fulfill - a new place that I could become familiar with.

First Time Blogging

Okay - please bear with me for this is the first time I have ever blogged. Not sure what this is going to be all about but hoping that it will be a good experience for me. I'm a returning student after numerous years of being off and this is one of my first assignments in my Composition II course. I'm quite curious as to where it is going to take me.

As I'm processing this entry many ideas are going through my head. First, I feel like this is so similar to email. What is the craze? Second, the blog can go to such a wide and vast number of people, however, I am hesitant that way for I feel as if I'm such a private person. Will this make me more comfortable in venturing out?

I am looking forward to the prospect of being a bit more creative on the blog. Numerous buttons and items to learn about. Any suggestions to the simplest routes without having to do so much searching on my own? That is probably an argument in itself - one can learn by doing - but one can also learn by being told how to do it.

Until my next entry I can only hope that I get acquainted to this way of communication. It seems a bit odd to be placing a blog of just anything out into the world for anyone to respond to. Is that showing my age and the way I think? Hope that changes!

Have a great week!
Anna