It's hard to run when your lungs and head are filled with fluid. But even when you're sick it still gives the strong sense of satisfaction and peace. Starting out the ache in my legs is very prominent, I move slowly and the dull pulse in my head makes me want to turn back. As the hill levels out, my feet, my steps, my lungs, my breath level out as well. I become a fluid machine and my mind starts to drift. Aided by mellow beats from my headphones, a type of meditation settles in.
Training for a half-marathon is a prime example of the saying "It's not the destination, but the journey". Completing the race is not the reason for running it. It motivates me to run several times a week which no matter my mood, whether I'm tired, energized, grumpy, elated, full, hungry, a run always brings me peace, calming energy, patience and renewed exuberance.
I read an article about meditating while running. The gist was that it makes you focus on your surroundings and think about nothing...also that this wasn't possible to achieve while listening to music. For me music aids in the meditation. Once I reach a groove my surroundings become clearer, the air tastes crisp and the vegetation pops. I can either think about nothing or I can think about everything that has been hiding in the back of my mind...and create solutions to them. I create brilliant plans. I direct my future, consider what I want out of life. It serves the same function as a really good hike, but is more accessible and gives me quicker results.
