Solitary Running

I know, I know everyone touts how great and motivating running with someone else can be.  Your "sole sister." I don't have one of those.  I have a husband, 3 kids aged 14, 11 and 8, 1 labrador retriever,  and 2 cats.  I'm also a high school math teacher that teaches roughly 110 students per day.  Even when I'm showering my dog presses his nose up against the frosted glass willing me to come out and give him a bone.  In other words, I'm never alone.  I lace up my shoes many a day just to spend some time alone.  My husband and son are runners but blissfully, they are faster than me and take off at the end of our street.  I treasure that solitude and those few minutes to listen to my 80's music or self-help book on my Ipod.  It's my choice.  I review my day and contemplate my future.  It's wonderful and the only time of day I feel absolutely in control of my destiny.  I break this solitary confinement only a couple of times per year:  the annual turkey trot and a Christmas Lights Run that is run as the whole family minus the pets.  I know that there is nothing more motivating than looking at my run as a treat than a have to do.  So, the group track work outs will have to wait.  At least until my youngest is in college.