Running is life. Or at least it mirrors the trials, tests and tribulations of living. Exhilaration and pain, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Indeed the full gamut of life’s emotions encapsulated in our daily pursuit of fitness and enlightenment. I’m not alone in my reverential appreciation of this most simple of mankind’s instincts, but few have taken it to the spiritual level I have achieved. The first and most important step towards my running illumination was RESPECT for the sport.
I’ve detailed previously why I started running, how it saved and changed my life. It is the one thing that Perfectly Fit my idiosyncratic view of the world. No one has, nor can ever, tell me When to Run, Why to Run, How to Run, Where to Run, or with Whom to Run. The absolute expression of Personal Freedom. Running means Nothing Less to me. And a whole lot more. I’ve been through the fires defending this position, the heat annealing my resolve and certainty.
You get out of running what you put into it. Plain and simple. And not just via rigorous training, those are only the most obvious pleasures. If you Truly Respect our sport the rewards are tenfold. Self determination, personal freedom, volition, forging your own path to truth and consciousness. Those are the rewards of having your Head as well as your Heart in your running.
If you treat it casually and with disrespect you are missing out on more than just the opportunity to cultivate one of life’s coveted expressions. Trifle with running and you end up missing the true essence. Injury, burnout, anger, vindictiveness, and more is the real shame.
Let the unsullied purity of running cleanse you. Put aside any pride and negativity, bow yourself to a humbling position, and head out the door for your Golden Opportunity.
Spain, India, Russia, South Africa, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Ireland, Brazil, New Zealand and the Phillipines. I don’t know who you folks are that are reading these words but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your checking in.
For those of you that would prefer a Millard West track workout tonight instead of the Corporate Cup 10K Qualifier:
1.5-2.0 mile warm up and warm down
2 X 400 @ 5K race pace w/2:00 active recovery
2 X 200 @ 5K – :10 pace w/200 jog recovery
2 X 400 @ 5K race pace w/ 2:00 active recovery
2 X 200 @ 5K – :10 pace w/2oo jog recovery
Giddyup!
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