“Running has always been a relief and a sanctuary—something that makes me feel good, both physically and mentally. For me, it’s not so much about the health benefits. Those are great, but I believe that the best thing about running is the joy it brings to life.”
Many years ago I used to run. It started when a friend of mine told me that I should try it and see what happens. I fobbed it off for a while but decided to start walking. At first it was hard and I only did one or two kms before heading back home. Later I was doing five to six kms of walking but it was taking a huge chunk of time out of my evening so I decided to pick up the pace and jog for some of the way. It changed my life that day and at first I hated the thought of it because it seemed like such effort but soon enough it was the part of my day that I looked forward to the most. I got hooked on the runners high and before I knew it I was walk/running 12kms in the evenings. It changed my body and it changed my mindset. I ran myself out of depression and felt the healthiest I ever have.
I gave it up when my life changed again and due to health reasons I couldn't go running. I couldn't find the time and I lacked the dedication as well, there were too many other things happening and I missed it horribly.
Today I went for my first run in about 7 years. It was terrible and it was amazing. I had to pace myself because of an existing ankle injury but to get my body moving felt wonderful. I felt my breath, I felt how heavy and reluctant my legs felt to do it, not streamlined and light like they used to be. Every muscle I had was going "whoa woman, what the hell are you trying to do?". When I couldn't run anymore, I walked briskly and before I knew it, I was was enjoying the process, the heat, the stetch in my legs, the pace of my breath.
Sweat started to shine on my face and my body felt alive like it suddenly remembered what this was! I listened to only a few songs while out there running but they were good ones. I've attached the lyrics of one below.
It's a beautiful life
It's just a reflection
A world I must survive
We're children of the past
Who look beyond today
Designing the present
So when is the future
We live in a dream
Keeping visions alive
It's just a reflection
A world that never dies
The image we create
The image we designed
It's a beautiful life
So when is the future
The feeling of blood rushing through my veins, hearing my heart beating in my chest and my feet pounding on the road surface...all brought back beautiful memories of runs along rivers while watching the traffic sit in slow motion alongside me. I raced alongside others and on my own, I watched birds take flight and land, while light glistened on the surface of the waterways. I pushed my heels in, treading up mountainsides, steep inclines up and easy runs down. I felt shadows lengthen as time ticked by and then I felt the soft touch of grass under my feet when I arrived back home, ravenous and thirsty. Thirsty for life, thirsty for meaning and thirsty for adventure. My world lit up by the possibilities that abounded when I was running. I felt that I could do anything, attain anything, be anyone...be someone!
I caught a glimpse of that feeling again today and it resurrected something within me. Something that has been sleeping for a long time. A quest to endure the day to get into my running shoes.
When I was in preschool and we were getting a bit rambunctious, our teacher would call a timeout in the air. Everyone instantly knew that they needed to return to their desks, close their eyes, calm themselves by breathing deeply and listen.
For a minute we would simply listen and remember everything that we heard. We would then take turns telling our class mates what our ears had picked up on. It was a mindful exercise I learned when I was only six utilizing only one of my senses. I still use it today, but I've expanded it to include all of them.
