Running is a very lonely sport
and here, I speak for myself. I took a break from my normal running schedule sometimes
last year. I just couldn’t get psyche to back to it. Then this year I tried to
start again. I would run for two days then stop for a fortnight. Anyone who is
familiar with the sport will tell you that for you to be successful at it you
must catch a consistence rhythm.
I spent a considerable amount
of time planning and “unplanning” my time on the track. Thinking about my
sports gear, whether my sports shoes were good enough and my hood warm enough.
I agonized over the state of my hair after every run. On and on I went with the
excuses-they kinda din’t make sense-. I just couldn’t bring myself to start running.
A neighbor who we had run with
before approached me in February and suggested that we get back on the track(He
comes from one of those wonderful communities that run for 40 kilometers
without breaking a sweat). We could psyche each other. Finally I got the
encouragement I had been looking for. That particular Monday, I wore my running
gear and got out. Let’s just say having been out of the track for more than six
months, I walked through most of my run. My heart was literally running ahead
of me. I could feel bitterness in my mouth. I was unfit. When I took a shower
afterwards it was refreshing.
And just like that I picked my
rhythm. Since then I have been on the track thrice a week unless something really
drastic happened and I couldn’t avoid it. It has been lovely. You see, when I
run mostly I think and think hard. I pick a thought and let it simmer in my
mind throughout the run. Look at it from all the angles that I can possibly do.
I argue with myself until I reaches a logical conclusion or a point where I
agree to disagree with myself.
Sometimes people jeer and
whistle at me. Sometimes kids and some grownups run with me- I have never understood
their motives though. Once a woman cheered me “Keep strong, that’s a good thing
you are doing.” And since I run at exactly the same time, I meet the same people
and I could easily point them out in a crowd. I am sure they could do the same
to me.
Running is also very engaging
like swimming. You use your feet, hands, and head and in my case heart which
feels sometimes like combusting. As this is too much, it’s unlikely you will talk
to anyone as you run. It’s just impossible. So you look forward and move like
the devil is chasing you. One step after the other. And no matter how tired you
feel you just keep moving.
Hence my running continues. I am
in competition with myself. I look forward to the day I will cover 5 kilometers
every morning. I have faith that the day is coming sooner rather later. This
year I am gearing towards tackling the Standard chartered marathon 10 kilometers
at a decent speed and time. Next year it will be the half marathon, God
willing.
Did I say that my neighbor never
ever joined me on the track? Maybe this is a psyche call to him………………………….
Keep moving, you might just beat the cold.
Sojourner
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