On the run

I started running in May this year. I started out by running half a mile. Increased it to a mile and then one day ,out of the blue, I was inspired. I ran 2 miles straight. No stopping, slowing down or walking in between. That was exhilarating. I was off and running!

I run religiously: Of late. It is not as if I gallop. It is a slow gentle run. But all the same, it leaves me breathless. But this blog is not about how much I run or how fast I run. It is about the challenges of a run and I will run a few thoughts by you. I realized that running along the sidewalks is better than running on the circular track. On the track, you count every lap you’ve completed and as the number gets bigger, mentally, you start tiring. On the road, it’s a totally different scenario. You keep running until you can’t run anymore. Being used to googling stuff, I, to satisfy my ego, google-mapped the distance from home to the usual running path I take. It was 4 miles, to and fro. That was it. From the next day, the run became a daunting task.

So for me, and I guess most people who are new to the activity, it is more mental than physical. I don’t run on the roads anymore because my knee hurts from the cemented sidewalks.Plus, you might be run-down by a fast moving vehicle. Hence I’m back to circle one- the track. Every time that I run, it is one more mental battle to win. The body says yes. The mind says no. I love the talks I have with myself during the run. I dare myself to do it. Most times I do win. But the days I give in to my psychosomatic pains, I feel miserable. Then starts the whole self-convincing cycle. I know I’m fooling no one else but me.

So I think, am I running away from myself? That thought makes my blood run cold. Why would I do that? Isn’t life all about being comfortable with yourself?

So I wonder why I am sticking to running, something I hated before and thought I couldn’t do? I get the runaround every time I ask myself that question. Or is it that I get a lot of answers? So I’ve decided to hit the ground running and settle it once and for all. I guess I run because it is a mental block I need to get past every time I do it. That is the challenge for me and even though it should’ve been run-of-the mill stuff for me, the cold weather and my lethargy are formidable opponents. Besides, it clears my mind. All I think about is convincing myself that I can do it. Plus, it is good in the long run. And running on the track won’t hurt my knees. Oh! the reasons can run-on for ever!

I sometimes wonder why I’m running round in circles!