8 miles. When’s the last time I ran 8 miles?  I think it was 2 months ago.. maybe.  8 miles.  Remember that Eminem movie, 8 MILE?  That was good.  Eminem.  Marshall Mathers.  Hmmmm… M & M.  I love M&Ms, especially the peanut ones.  I read somewhere that Eminem is a runner.  He started when he was in rehab and once ran 17 miles.  Now he runs less but does it every morning.   His new addiction. Why do I have so many Eminem songs on running playlists?  I’m not a hip hop or rap fan.  Is it because his intriguing lyrics and complicated rhyme schemes distract me from my aching legs and labored breathing?  Maybe.  Maybe not. M & M…

I don’t know what other people think about while they’re running.  I ponder all kinds of things, but some days have no recollection of my mental meanderings.  Today I thought about Eminem, and about how far I’ve come as a runner in the 4 1/2 years I’ve lived in Marin County.  As I plodded up one particularly steep hill, I relived the ass whooping it gave me so many years ago.  In fact,  previously this hill handed me my pride on a platter- I had to walk.  But not today.  I huffed and I puffed but I made it to the top without stopping or swearing or falling or barfing, and with Eminem cheering me on the whole way.