Rediscovering the Joy

[VernRDH]

I am borrowing a page from our Zen Panda windwalker (hope you don't mind)

It has been some months since I have "run". Winters here in the northeast are brutal, and this one was especially icy and frigid. So for the worst months I decided to do some cross training and signed up for Boot Camp Club at the YMCA (did 2 seven week sessions). I also signed up for a 3 month trial of Tae Kwon Do with my daughter.

There was a lot of running at Boot Camp, but not running. We would be on the (very small) track in the Y, doing drills-sprints, carrying various weights/objects etc. But never more than 1 mile (so about 10 minutes for me). Boot Camp ended on Friday and I have been eager to get back out there and run a good run. Today was that day.

We had a beautiful day yesterday and it continues into today. It was perfect weather for a run-60's, light wind, lots of early morning sunshine. I was eager to really test out my new running shoes too, so I laced up and headed out. I don't wear any headphones when I run, as I like to reconnect to nature and hear my own thoughts while running. I ran through my neighborhood, a 3 mile route that is varied in incline/declines. At first my body resisted, took a while to warm up. But once I got going, I truly remembered why I run. I felt the joy, the reason I run and keep running. My goal was not to worry about time, but to get back to what I love doing. I love the feeling of the warm sun and light breeze, the sound of the birds and barking dogs, the sound of my feet hitting the pavement in time with my breathing. It all came together and truly felt wonderful. Not the runners high, mind you, that is totally different for me, but just the joy of running.

I am glad to be back to running on a regular basis (starting base miles this week, as we start our training program on 6/1 for my first half marathon). I hope everyone remembers to find the joy in their running, it is what keeps us going.

 

[Duanerice]

Thanks for sharing. I know exactly what you mean. I don't have the winters to worry about but the joy of running hits home.

When you said:
"I love the feeling of the warm sun and light breeze, the sound of the birds and barking dogs, the sound of my feet hitting the pavement in time with my breathing." that just hit home.

Like you, I just can't wait to get out in the sun, feel the breeze in my face. Even when I don't have a run scheduled, sometimes I'll go out just to get out. Last Sunday I told my wife I was going running. She said "again"? She didn't care it just surprised here because when I do a LR on Saturday I seldom run on Sunday. She expected me to stay in and do the weight training thing but it was so pretty outside I just had to go.

I have 2 bikes so I could go ride, but it is not the same. Totally different experiences.

As I tell people, if I have to explain it you wouldn't understand. You either know or you don't.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[windwalker]

Thank you for sharing your joy with us princess.

I have a new mission for those that chose to accept it. It's called "No Princess Races Alone". Back in January 2007 we had a princess that was walking the marathon alone and she had a heat stroke. Her marathoning career is probably over forever. We never even knew till a couple of months later when she poted what happened. My own sweet lady who went into that hot brutal marathon well trained was totally overcome at 18 miles of the second day by the heat. She had to stop and cool down for a while before she could continue. So I decided than that I was going to be with any of our guys and gals that were doing their first race or wanted company. Well the problem is that with everyone doing the best they can we get spread out. So I'm recruiting guys and gals who want to share the experience of someone's first half, full or Goofy.

I thought this would be a good place to mention this because for those that have done the races several times the goal of finishing deminishes over time. But to have a new goal of helping our friends through their races can be a great motivation to keep up your training. A way to keep the joy flowing with a purpose.

Besides it's a huge honor to be allowed to share someones first race.

Walking Panda