Ever hear of laughter yoga? I don’t d yoga, personally, because of the whole thing where my lower back doesn’t bend. It become more of an exercise in frustration than in flexibility for me. Pilates is the same way. Anyway, I heard about the whole “laughter yoga” thing somewhere, and it made me smile, this idea that forced hilarity slowly morphs into the real thing, bringing with it good feelings of real happiness. It sort of reminded me of the whole “be the change you want to see in the world” thing, only on a localized scale.
Today I was running, and a thought that’s been swimming in my head for a while kept coming back to me. When people see a runner looking all scowly and grim-faced, it certainly doesn’t spread the idea that running is a fun and positive-feeling thing to do. I usually try to keep my face completely relaxed and loose while I’m running, with cheeks and eyes soft, so as to encourage the rest of my body to not tighten up. (Sound like natural childbirth? Kind of like that! 
) Today, I was feeling pretty good on the run, though, and when the podcast to which I was listening cued in a song I love, I smiled. And smiled some more. And kept smiling. I hit a huge (in southeast Wisconsin terms) hill and powered up it…and at the top, I exclaimed aloud and pumped a fist. I felt AWESOME!
I’ve had “runner’s high” before, and it’s a groovy and surreal sensation, where absolutely all the bad falls away and leaves you in a state of total physical harmony. I got that euphoria again today, and it almost seemed as though I brought it on myself intentionally, just by smiling. Now I wonder how long I can keep this going, just wearing a grin on my face, no matter what’s happening around me. 
Eric’s got a half-day at work today, and he should be home soon. Yay, free time with my husband!
I’m doing this race as my first 50K/ultra in July 2012. I’m so tardy to the party but...