It shows when you are doing something that you love. I love my running. It fills me with the fuel that I need to get through the day. It’s a meditation where I find a part of myself. It’s my passion.
As a distance runner, I often run alone. Sometimes this is by choice, and other times it is because there isn’t anyone else who wants, or is able, to run that far. When I run alone, I am able to think about things that trouble me. I solve problems and come up with ideas. I run for my goals, but I also run for my soul. I might have to get creative in how I make time for it, but I can usually fit it in.
Yesterday, I waited for the opportunity to set out on my 6 mile run at my marathon race pace. Breakfast, baseball practices, and Birthday parties required some flexibility on my part. When the moment presented itself, I didn’t hesitate. I ran up the streets surrounding YaYa’s baseball practice, with iPod playing no particular set of songs. The street felt hard, and the air was cold. I let my body settle into whatever pace it desired. I ran for the pure enjoyment of going fast. I greeted the walkers, skateboarders, and anyone else who was out. I thought, “Show your passion” and when I was done I looked at my average pace, smiled big, and said “YES”. What a run!
At this point in my training, the length of my runs has not ramped up too much. For today, it would be a 12 mile long, slow run. The run is purely for distance. I will build the endurance needed to get through the marathon itself. In a few weeks, these will build up until the run is 20 miles. At this point, I’ll run solo. Today, however, I ran with friends who share in the passion of running. We set off at an easy pace. My legs felt sluggish but that soon resolved. The weather report had called for showers, so I figured I was bound to get soaked on this run. We talked and ran and before too long we were turning back. At the final mile we picked up speed. Huffing and puffing we came barreling back to our starting point. It was awesome fun.
Running is NOT my life. My children and family ARE. Running is merely a big part of it. Whatever you do, show your passion.