Chasing Experiences

I love to run. There’s nothing like feeling the wind hit your face on a sunny day and smelling the sweet scent of spring while you breathe rhythmically to your foot-steps. 1, 2, 3, 4 steps, inhale…1,2,3,4 steps exhale…. Sometimes I raise my arms, close my eyes and thank God for the ability to put one foot in front of the other. I often think of all the people who do not have the capability to run, like my mother who has COPD or my sister with type 1 diabetes and terrible neuropathy. I wish they could experience the feeling that only a surge of endorphins after a long run can produce. When it gets hard to keep going, I stop running for myself and instead I run for them. I imagine them taking my body over and how quickly or far they would want to go. I keep going for them and for all the others who can’t but wish they could.

My body will keep going if my mind tells it to. How lucky I am to be able to push my legs and stamina to the limit. The pain is a blessing. I can go and I can keep going, unlike so many others.

I say-“this hill is never ending and my legs are on fire. I still have a mile left and my breathing is getting heavier“. I think-thank you God for the muscles and healthy lungs that are getting me through this.

I especially love trail running. When you run on a trail, there are so many different factors to take into consideration to come out unscathed. Rocks and branches scattered around your feet or sudden drops could cause you to lose your footing and fall on your face. There are lots of small hills and some big ones that really test your mental toughness. Rustling leaves in the distance could be a harmless grazing deer or something more dangerous like a rattlesnake looking for its next place to take shelter. You really have to use your head, your senses and most of all your heart to get through a long trail run.

This type of running reminds me of the human experience.

Life presents obstacles often. It’s just the way it is. They can be short lived, like the small hills on a run. They keep popping up and are uncomfortable to get through but are quick to overcome. But sometimes they are like the big, long hills. These obstacles are more serious and harder to address but they are what build the most strength in the end. The hills are going to keep coming until the elevation increases so much, you find yourself on top of a mountain looking at what you’ve conquered. There are no words to describe that pride. It’s extremely hard going through them all, but the strength you gain from obliterating your obstacles is one of the most precious things you will ever possess as a person.

Life also presents distractions that will put you at risk, like the rocks and branches on a trail. They are important to recognize to keep from hurting yourself, but it is inevitable that they will cause you to fall at times. If you need to rest for a bit to heal an injury, then do it. Don’t ignore it and push on. Some injuries require time to heal so that they don’t come back and hurt you later. Rest does not make you weak, it makes you stronger. When you are able, get back up and keep going.

Trust people but don’t be naïve. Be aware of the snakes in the grass and try to avoid being bitten. But also realize that they have a place in the environment. While they may be a danger to you, their existence is necessary and beautiful to others. Keep your distance and take precautions as needed.

Appreciate the kind eyes of a stranger or a friend like the harmless deer. Trust them and try not to run them off. Let them see your sensitive side and bare your soul. They will either reciprocate or will be a fleeting experience in your life that you enjoyed for a moment. Every being you come into contact with has crossed your path for a reason, whether it was for you or for them. People outgrow friends and relationships, it happens. But you can learn from each person you meet.

Always keep in mind that there are scattered flowers amongst the chaos and therefore some distractions can contribute to making the journey a beautiful one. It’s absolutely necessary to stop and enjoy the little things. Smell the flowers and take pictures to capture the memories. Smile, smile, smile-even through the pain.

Whether it’s an actual physical run you’re preparing for or it’s everyday life you’re contemplating, my advice is this:

Just go and keep going.