We Run as One

Running is the glue that binds….


I read that recently somewhere. I have 2 divergent thoughts on it. Let’s talk about them:

First:
The article itself was on how running is what holds us (as in the singular “me” but all individuals who run) together. It generally makes us physically fit i.e. muscles toned, increased endurance, benefits to the cardiovascular system. You get the idea. Of course, optimally we will be putting good nutrition “in” so we can get good results “out.” =)

The article also discussed the mental and spiritual aspects of running. We benefit from those too. When I run alone, I can solve all the world’s problems. Ok… maybe just my problems. But I have made some of my best decisions when out for a long run. My mind seems to clear of the constant chatter and I can focus on one thing or maybe nothing at all! But when focused, I can clearly see all the sides of my current dilemma and therefore, can see many more solutions.

Sometimes when running I have run until I cried… cried over lost relationships, lost opportunities, lost loved ones. I run until I cry then I simply turn around and come back. The weight of all that has been lost is now gone. My run back is light and airy… I can see clearly again. (Sometimes this takes more than one long run!)

Other times while running I have had “topics” come up out of the blue – hmmm… what should I do about? Or maybe more like… Ya’ know I’ve never thought about doing X wonder what that would be like? Mind you this is a conversation within myself. It’s just me… and the rain…or the snow… or the sunshine…

Quite a while back my running group was asked to the question “Why do you run?” My short answer was that it makes me a nicer person… and it still does. I’m a MUCH happier and positive person when I can run. Not running makes me grouchy! There is a definite mental benefit to running.

On the spiritual side...Once on a trail run, while heading up the side of a mountain in Arkansas, I made the comment to my fellow runner “Why do we do this?” It was steep and tough. We were doing more power walking than running. My friend said “because of this” while sweeping his hand wide to the left for my eyes to follow. 

It was as if on cue, God had created an opening to the side of the trail. We were on the side of the mountain that had a fairly steep drop. The river was almost directly below and the valley gracefully climbed away on the opposite side. Although it was a misty day, the sun was just beginning to light up the area using the cloud cover the way a photographer uses a diffuser on his flash. It was beautiful… this had my mind going for a while. Running (especially trails) we get to see places so many never will.


Second:
When I think more about running being a glue that binds us I also think about how it binds us as a community. We run as one... I think about how when out running we are all one race. We are runners. We can be of different national origins, different religions, no religion, different occupations, different political beliefs, different family structures, different… different… different. But when we run together we are of one mind.

I think of a trail runner I know in our area. Coleen. She is an amazing runner! We are as opposite as can be on almost all those items in the list above. But when we run together (I use that loosely – she’s WAY faster than I) she is always so encouraging and complimentary of my efforts. For a period last year I was running a hill (not hills… the same one over and over) with a small group. She, as well as the others, would cheer me up the hill applauding my improvement and encourage me to continue with them. And this was not just for me. Those who made it to the top first would encourage each of the others as they were climbing too. It didn’t matter that I’m conservative and she’s liberal. None of those things mattered. We were all helping each other.

My point is that runner’s help each other to become better runners. It’s a selfish sport in many ways but a sport that gives so much, to so many. We run alone but we run as one…

Believe,
bat