the pain and joy of running

I run.
not so much that it overtakes my life,
and certainly not so fast as to merit a seat at the podium,
just enough to be considered a person that runs.

enough to actually enjoy it,
enough to wake up at dawn for a “quick” 10k,
enough to think I can, in fact, catch the bus.

I’ve had this thought many times, and each time it feels like a wake-up.

aside from living,
it is the simplest, and most complex thing I’ve ever done.

one foot in front of the other,
one breath out after another,
one thought in after the other,
imposing its rhythm.

grateful for every step, every breath, every droplet of sweat.

testing the limits of my world,
and yours,
unrushed and unworried,
inhaling and exhaling,
learning the difference between fatigue and pain,
wondering just how far am I willing to go to follow my thoughts.

and just like life,
running has a meaning simply because it has a finish line.

all we have to do is breath.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

today is day 285 of the year, there are 80 days remaining of 2022.