Honeymoon Phase

As with all experiences, running also seems to have its honeymoon phase. The time when everything about it is new and hence appealing because you are in love with it, in some sense. I love how the wind blows in my face (not because of the my speed, mostly because it is windy out here) and the feeling of victory when I run past the goal that I set for myself. I adore the scenery (I mean, just look at the place that I run in - it is gorgeous and a motivation for me to keep going back - but it will only last the summer unfortunately) and the sounds around me (no - I don't like to drown everything out with loud music - especially when that everything includes the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves) and I have even come to like the pain running puts me in (it reminds me of my experience with dancing, when I actually started to crave the muscle soreness).

I know that this phase will end soon, specially as the weather changes, but the question is whether I will keep pushing past my honeymoon phase knowing that it will get tougher (and easier in some ways). After my knee injury I decided to buy a good pair of running shoes - I hate shopping most of the time, and I was not going to go to a store to get me started. Plus, I knew that it would only give me an excuse to put off running. A friend gave me her old issues of Runnersworld and there was a simple map in there on what the optimal shoes are for how much you run and how much support you think you need. This might not have been the most researched decision of my life, but I ended up buying Saucony's Omni 11 and I am happy with it so far, plus it fits all the criteria for the right pair of running shoes.

The first few weeks in Pittsburgh was definitely part of the honeymoon phase of my MBA - I loved the city, the food, the beer, the people, the school - it was all new. I felt like the most fortunate person in the entire world for having had the opportunity to be at Tepper. I keep reminding myself of that feeling - because it is easy to lose sight of that in the daily assignment submissions, the club meetings, and the project work. The true test of any relationship is how you like it after the newness wears off - and I still love the city, the food, the beer, the people, and the school - for different reasons now because I know them all better, but I still love them.

Bottom Line: Enjoy the honeymoon, but know and anticipate that the beer goggles wear off afterward.