Running, working, dating, running, working

I am tired. That tired you get from a productive day or a great run. A tired that makes you feel like you have accomplished something. You could go to bed, but there is a strange energy surging through you at the same time. This kind of tired seems to hit me in waves when I have a lot going on.

This last fall I was juggling a new school year with quite a few changes, many hours volunteering with one of my favorite organizations, coaching cross country, and trying to run a little on the side. Needless to say, I was a little stressed out. The tired I was experiencing far surpassed the tired described above. There were times I would be sitting on the couch grading, eating and trying to play with the dog after a long day of trying to impart wisdom on 12 year olds, plotting a route for Saturday's run, massaging my left calf and heating my right knee. During a few of these evenings I would start to think about how nice it would be to meet someone. Then I would snap back into reality and realize I didn't even have time to file my nails, let alone start a relationship.

Life eventually calmed down and I resumed a normal school-year schedule and started running again. I also opened up my dating life again. Each time I start to date someone during the school year, I remember how hard it can be to balance everything and make myself feel like I am doing enough in all areas of my life. Running has helped me learn how to balance all these different elements. It is the one area I can control. If school is crazy, I can calm down with a long run. If a boy decides he doesn't want to date me anymore, a run up to the top of Mt. Tabor can burn off some frustration/confusion/anger/sadness. It has become a regular part of my life and while I don't expect potential partners to understand it, I do expect them to accept it.

This time, I've been seeing a runner who is levels above me with speed and experience. It is such a different experience to not have to really explain to someone why you have to get up at 4:45 AM on a weekday to get your run in. Or why on a Friday night you need to be in bed by 9 PM and really shouldn't have more than one beer. The amount of energy I save by not having to explain these things is incredible.

My short (but growing) list of characteristics of a boyfriend continues to change as I grow into myself. This is, of course, in addition to loving me for the somewhat neurotic person I am, all of my quirks, blah, blah, blah. As of now, I believe there are only 5:

1. Prefer a runner...or at least someone who understands the need for barf-inducing workouts, Glide, and a short port-a-potty line.

2. Loves (or will at least do) yard work. I'll keep the inside clean.

3. Loves my dog for the sweet cuddler she is, and tolerates her sometimes erratic behavior.

4. Won't get mad at me for jumping on the couch and screaming obscenities at college football refs because that was not pass interference!

5. Will cheer me in at the finish line.

I'm still willing to experience the good tired to find all these things and keep myself sane and employed.