Running, fitness, and Joy.
I must say, I really feel good after running. I feel cleaner than ever after sweating then a shower. As it is, I seem to only find time to run when it’s dark, either in the morning or in the evening. You would think it would be dangerous to run at night, but as it turns out, if you roll your ankle and/or fall enough times, you figure out how to do it without hurting anything. I am completely comfortable running in just enough light that I know I am on trail.. and running down the wooded (but paved) greeneway that follows an old rail bed in the dark with the moon filtering though the trees is… Magical. Truly beautiful. Joyful. I mean, as I’m running I’m saying to myself… “This is like a movie dream scene..wow.” Sometimes there are little patches of fog (not even as wide as the path, “little”.) sometimes there are deer out on the path that just stare at you as you go by, It’s just magic. I wish everyone could experience it. Another thing that happens is your sense of smell goes to 11. I can tell when people are doing laundry as I run over manhole covers. Sometimes, if everything is just right in the mornings, I can smell animals on the trail, (or more likely their scat) Interestingly enough, It’s not unpleasant. I have been running for almost 3 years now, (3 in December) and the experience of having the trail to yourself and nature is really the best part. The feeling of fitness is an awesome bonus.
As I write this, It turns out Chicago received their largest November snowfall on record today, and I am reminded of, as a kid, going out and riding in ~2″ of fresh snow at night, snow that has not had any car tracks on it yet. While it’s still snowing. The silent kind of snow. That was pure joy too. Might be the only thing that beats this. I really am looking forward to my kids experiencing Both. 🙂
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