[7/26/12] I did it.

I can't believe I did it.

After 13 (13!) years of receiving Runner's World every month, I cancelled my subscription.

Maybe it was due to a moment of weakness?  Or strength?

I guess I've entered a new season in life.

A Runner's World-less season.

I've looked forward to receiving the new issue every single month. 

I've looked forward to reading every single article in every single issue every single month.

I don't know what changed, but these issues have been piling up on my nightstand over the past five months. 

When each issue has arrived, I have pulled all those extremely irritating ad cards out, because they either fall out when you're reading or make it hard to flip through the pages. Which is so...irritating. And I have looked at the back page to see who the featured "famous" runner was for the month. It's amazing how many "famous" people are runners.

I even took a few issues to the hospital with me so I could read them.  Which I didn't.

So they've been staring at me, sitting there on my nightstand.

And I guess I just couldn't take it anymore.

And I sort of snapped.

And put the "No, thank you" sticker on the renewal form instead of the "Yes!" sticker. And then I hurried and sealed the envelope so I couldn't change my mind. Because, you know, you can never unseal a sealed envelope. Ha.

And I must admit I felt a bit guilty. Like my one non-renewal will send Runner's World into bankruptcy. Which it won't.

But still...

I have learned so much from reading Runner's World over the years. So much.

And when I threw away almost 11 years' worth of past issues before we moved (because, you know, I might just need that article about something running-related out of the November 2000 issue someday), I must admit I mourned a bit.

But I guess my seasons are changing and I really haven't had time to read these magazines, or I've been choosing to read something else.  Probably the latter.

I did notice that the themes and topics of the articles have been repeating. Which is to be expected after 13 years.

And maybe I felt a teeny bit guilty that although I have been running regularly pretty much all the time since October 23, 1998 (except during this little post-op period), I wasn't running like I was at my peak running period. Other things have taken priority. Like teaching early morning seminary. And returning to school part-time. And other stuff.

Which is fine. 

Just different.

And I can always read articles on their site when I want to.

And since I'm on the subject of running, Dr. V told me yesterday that running will actually help my pain! Something about the endorphins... So I bumped up the time we ran this morning to run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, 5 times. And although it was a bit painful (I was actually sore from Monday's run - it's amazing what a little surgery and the ensuing break-from-running can do to a body!), I did it! And I will continue to do it because I know how fabulous running makes me feel. When I'm done, anyways. And sometimes even when I'm running. And for the rest of the day.

5K in October, here I come! :o)