The Long Run

“Bid me run and I will strive with things impossible.” -Shakespeare

I sat in my workroom enjoying the coos, caws and whistling sibilants offered up by a particularly busy choir of birds. Directly across from the mess that cluttered my desk was a display of more than 100 medals that were awarded to my wife for her success in completing marathons, half-marathons mimi-tris and other races. The sustained effort of years of training and miles of race running made me think about the different things that sustain us in life…the actions that – when repeated – make our lives better. The mixture of motivation, goal setting, hard work and seemingly impossible distances creates the powerful cocktail that brings “quality” to my wife’s life. What seems like madness and obsession to the casual observer, actually sustains her and gives her joy.

I have been sustained by other things.

My runs have been on different roads, runs toward and away from myself in search of meaning. Most of these trips are internal and no course maps are available for reference. I can’t plan for the hills and valleys or eat enough carbs to see me through. I have to start and face life’s changes as they come. Soon, I discovered that the running itself is the important thing, more important than any destination. Because of my wife, I use a lot of running terminology to actually explain my race. I certainly see my spiritual enquiries as training and the occasional insight as a kind of runner’s high. I share my wife’s appreciation for what she sees as her goal. It isn’t medals or even fitness but “to finish standing up and smiling.” When frustration sets in and insight seems impossible, remembering that goal allows me to press on.

In my religion days, a line from the Rule of Saint Benedict drove me: “run while you have the light of life…what can be sweeter?” For those who face their own rough roads I can say that the act of moving toward the light is where the joy is. Maybe you are going to your church, or your fellowship meeting or maybe you are working to feed your kids but the point remains the same. Keep running.

When I did half-marathons my coach told me that any race consists of 10% physical ability and 90% mental toughness. He said, “your body will do almost anything you ask it to do. The important thing is to control your attitude. You must never allow yourself to talk yourself into quitting.”

So, this one is for the seekers and the long distance runners of the soul. Continue your training and extend your run with joy.

What could be sweeter?