Running is, or at least it should be, natural for the human race. For some reason it is a lot easier for us to sit or lie lazy enjoying the comfort of the couch or La-Z-Boy.
Like many of my friends, I am a master of inventing excuses why today is not a good day for a run. For years I have struggled with knee and ankle injuries. These to me are valid reasons not to run and they have kept me away from trails and pavements. I got recently rid of these annoyances by simply changing my running shoes to "barefootshoes" (Merrell Trail glove). I learned a healthier gait and got pain free feet! After that I threw my old cushioned sneakers to trash can. Well this is not the point of this blog and I believe that there are runners who benefit from cushioned running shoes. Naturally I was ecstatic. Now I could run everyday if I felt like it!
Despite all the magic the shoes had they could not remove my capability to come up with new excuses. Sometimes I could even convince myself that this is not a good week for running. I can't understand this since I love the feeling I get from a run, I enjoy the nature and I do not have any pain. All should be well then. Why do I need the excuses? Am I lazy? Is there something similar for the brain as the "barefootshoes" were for my feet?
Maybe there is a cure. I found this book (pictured) from our public library. I decided to read it through and see if the author Larry Shapiro could help me. There is something compelling in eastern philosophies and especially Zen has always intrigued me. Maybe it is the introverted nature of meditation that suits my Finnish personality. As an ex-athlete I also value things like listening to yourself and living in the moment. In the hectic western society it is difficult to empty the blackboard of your mind and give the small things possibility to create a mark in your memory. It is a lot easier to look at the blackboard drawn full by the numerous stimuli that we get from our environment. Anyone or anything can draw a new mark to that blackboard without us being able to even notice let alone remember it. We are not able to select the things that stick to our mind unless we are able to empty the blackboard. This way the small often enjoyable moments just slip by. At least for me it is common to dwell on things that either have happened or might happen in the future, the only things I cannot affect right now. It is very difficult to live in the moment.
Reason why I am writing this blog is to record my attempt to get rid of the excuses stopping me from running. Everything starts from recognizing my excuses. It is comforting to understand that even if I fail I might learn something.
Buddha: It is better to travel well than to arrive
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