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A brief and non-exhaustive narrative of what I think about when I run, specifically this morning:

  • Focused on my audiobook, Real Queer America – an amazing listen
  • The following queer related thoughts inspired by the narrative in my ear: coming out, bisexuality, joining/developing queer communities in Door County, imaginary bigots and what they might say to an openly queer single woman raising an adopted child by choice . . . and all the things I will say back
  • There is a spectrum of situational awareness on the Greenbelt, people who step aside for runners and people I have to tap on the shoulder (in one extreme case) to alert that I’m even behind them to pass
  • My own lack of situational awareness when bikers come up behind me
  • How the hell you can bike on this rocky trail and is it really more efficient because I keep catching up to the same biker who needs to stop and walk his bike over treacherous terrain
  • Will I fall again? I have the bruises to prove I’m not always steady on my feet
  • I hope no one looks at my face because it is breaking out and sweaty and I’m trying not to be the person who keeps her make-up on for exercise and this morning I succeed but I will look at no one
  • That cross-country movie I don’t remember where they train to get excited to run up hills and I draw on it for inspiration on the last, long hilly leg of my run
  • What I will wear to a cookout and birthday party in the afternoon, and how I can represent since I’m not attending Austin Pride (also today)
  • How I should give money to PFLAG in Door County in honor of Pride today
  • I need to finish my obsessive rewatch of Miraculous Ladybug this weekend so I can get some actual reading done this next week
  • This is a really fucking long hill
  • My profile reflection I caught in an office building window, looking awesome and strong . . . and a little slow but the incline is steep . . .
  • The next steps when I finally stop running and get in the door, shower, raspberries, sparkingly water, and okay another episode of Miraculous Ladybug before I get ready for the party
  • I will definitely bring a Diet Coke to the party
  • That I love running, all parts but the before and the first mile

With Love,

Natalie