Burning soles.. To be free

We have a runner in the house.  Well, we actually have two.  (But this blog is about Seth not myself; sorta)

Seth running. He was actually running with me.  Not his "Forrest run"

Me in my first 5k

 Since Seth was about 3 he liked to escape by going into another room, hiding in a corner and even retreating to the front porch.. Always in tow was his trusty blue blankie with the special worn corner.

Now Seth has become a runner.  Not the kind of runner who laces his kicks up for the pure intention of running a good 'ol run or to obtain a personal race record. Nor does he run with a water supply, Garmin watch, gel pack or reflective clothing.  He will take off in flips, bare, socks, hungry, dirty along with a discontented state of mind.

Run Seth Run

Anger, frustration, anxiety, sensory overload, fear, overwhelmed... are some the reasons we have a runner in our mix..

In Seth's words he runs "to be free" - his hands on each side of his head as he is telling me this. To be free. Perhaps to escape whatever is going on in his head.  To be boundary free from walls, noise, dog, siblings, parents, smells, demands and exceptions.  Guessing there is a lot more to this then my "I am not really a doctor but I like to pretend" reasons.

Nonetheless, the kid is a real runner.  Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.  Sunny, overcast, rainy, hazy,  snowing.  No stopping this kid.  He is a real work horse.  Hard headed, strong willed, free spirit, 100% unique.. whatever label you choose for the package, in the end, its pretty much all the same.

Our "work horse" aka Rocky in training.  Actually, we were doing a beach clean up one Sunday morning.

At this point where we are with Seth, we allow him "to be free".  We allow him his "Forrest run". This by NO means, means that we don't love him and care for his safety.  This IS for his mental and physical safety.  For there have been times where we have not allowed it and he almost went into seizure mode. For all I know, he may have had one or two.  Seriously.  As well, when we chase him he goes into panic / flight mode and takes off even further down the road.  Not paying attention to what is ahead of him, to the side, behind or footing.  Which has lead him to hiding under a parked car and on another occasion almost getting hit by a car.  With that said, that is my reason for not chasing my son.  If we make him stay in the confines of the home, he feels trapped and he only gets worse. ie: hurting himself and/or his belongings.  Until we can get a handle on his running when he feels the need... Run Seth Run.  Full speed ahead... To Be Free, my son.

*sidenote: We are working with Rescare.  Praying that his insurance will approve in home intensive behavior therapy.  Hence,  learning to handle his frustration, anxiety, over stimuli and how to handle it by NOT running.  ABA therapy will be another option... in near future, but funds are already stretched thin.