Bouncing, Buddies, and Bubbles!

Walt Disney, an innovative and brilliant man, once said, "Too many people grow up. That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don't remember what it's like to be 12 years old."

I reflect on that thought often, and in this way, I'm lucky. I've always been whimsical in nature. My husband is especially fond of that, and for his sake and mine, I hope I never lose my child-like sense of wonder and hope. 

A couple of months ago, I ran my fourth 5K - The Bubble Run. It wasn't timed and I left my Garmin at home, so I can't tell you how I did in that sense. To be honest, I really didn't care what my time was; I was too busy having fun!

I ran this one with three other friends. One of the girls is more of a walker and we all chose to stay together and enjoy the fun, so I only "ran" a little bit here and there. We spent out time talking and laughing, stealing these moments of freedom and running with them (literally!). We bounced and danced our way through bubble bogs and went through a couple of them more than once. By the end of the run we were colorful and giddy.

For me, the Bubble Run was one of the best I've done. It was so refreshing to blatantly ignore my pace and finishing time and instead focus on the element of fun. I felt like a kid again, and there's something to be said about that. I also realized that friends make running better. No matter how much you love running (or hate running), being around people you care about makes the experience even better. True friends share your fears and struggles, amplify your joy, and inspire you to to be a better person. Without them we float along, day after day, content, but complacent. 

I hope that as you read this, you're reminded of a run that had nothing to do with racing, and everything to do with having fun. I also hope you think of your friends - the ones that make make you cry uncontrollably and laugh hysterically. The ones who know you implicitly and accept you wholly. The ones who allow you to act like you're 12 years old, and rather than disown you as you do the Gangnam Style dance through a wall of bubbles, laugh mercilessly and do it along with you.