Saturday, January 12, 2019

Running Journal No. 3: A Reason to Run


 “Somebody in the hospital is begging God for the opportunity you have right now”

Though he may not have been talking about running, what motivational speaker T.D. jakes said hits the spot as to why we need to be running or just to be fit.

If you’ve ever been hospitalized, you might know the feeling of helplessness of not being able to do what you want your body to do as every movement means pain. You are tied to your bed. Add the feeling of knowing how much time and money your family members are spending on you, the feeling of looking at their distraught faces as they worry about your condition instead of them enjoying the holidays.

If not,  you could remember suffering a nasty hang over where you vow in vain never to touch alcohol again, and there you are taking a break from work or school but unable to do anything else and nothing seems to cure it.

These feelings should be remembered because they make running (or any form of physical activity) extra special. The Cinderella song title says it all “Don’ Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)”. Of course, the song is about a lover who loses his/her beloved and now pines for a second chance and laments that in the end all he has is the song. With enough imagination, you could replace enough words so that the song will now sound as if the speaker is asking for a second chance from his body because he knows now what he lost.

Regardless, we enjoy our body and these movements while we can because no one can never really predict what could happen and that soon we will reach an age where we can no longer run.
What is that age?

The oldest half marathon finisher is reported to be 101 years old. Other full marathon finishers do not trail far finishing their marathons at 90 -100 years old.

If we maintain it (running and fitness) long enough and add in a bit of luck…

We never go gently into the night: we will go into it running and kicking.





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