On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

When my alarm went off Sunday morning at 7, I contemplated turning it off. I had spent all day Saturday driving to a friend's parents' house, and I was facing an entire day of family party - someone else's family.

I didn't turn the alarm off. Instead, I put my running clothes on and I stepped outside.

It was about 45 degrees, perfect for running in a dress and some arm warmers. I ran around the neighborhood for a bit and then down to the bay. I sat on the dock for a couple of minutes, watching the water, and then I ran back around the neighborhood. It was early and almost no one was out but for a dog walker or two.

Not to sound cliche, but it was calm, it was serene, it was peaceful. This is what I've been missing over the past month or so when I haven't been running as much: the feeling, coming in from a run, of being both physically exhausted and yet completely mentally recharged.

The rest of the day wasn't calm. At all. But I had that hour to myself.
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2 comments:

  1. Cliche isn't always bad when it describes so perfectly. It's a good feeling when you get that great mix of exertion and peace.

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  2. Sounds like the perfect way to start a hectic day! Or, any day ;)

    ReplyDelete

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