Not so much the running part- but what it is I don before I run~
What I drag with me when I do.
I of course have the basics....runners- running pants-breathable running shirts and windbreaker.
But then there are all the other things I top it off with.
Gone are my carefree running days when all I did was grab the well-worn runners off the shelf and take off with a wave...not knowing (or caring) how long I'd be gone or how far I would make it that run.
Those were the innocent days.
But now!
Now....
(And add head lamp for the night,
my phone when I'm going a distance...)
Is all this necessary?
Really?
Not only does it feel I am running with extra weight- the time it takes for me to get ready to run is a workout all on its own.
Makes me think about the other stuff.
The stuff I drag with me day to day.
Failures, disappointments, hurts, ......dragging it on.
And on.
Feeling a tad heavier than I was really made to feel.
Why do we (I) do this?
Does it make you feel you'll handle the run of life even better if you drag it along?
Yeah...there is the necessaries you need and of course...what would a run be at times without music to pump your feet a bit faster.
But Why?
Do I need a watch beeping out my times/pace/distance/rate- every 10 minutes?
On the other hand.....
I Do like knowing my times.
I do appreciate water every few km's.
And of course I should wear my reflecting bands so that driver coming down the gravel road at breakneck speed will maybe have a heads up that I'm out there.
~~~~~
I think when it comes down to it....it doesn't matter what you're carrying...it's how you wear it.
And make adjustments here and there so it becomes PART of the running experience.
All that baggage can make you into the person you're supposed to be if you only use it properly...(and once in awhile take it all off-get back to the basics- and remember who you are and what you're supposed to be doing without it!)
It doesn't have to be ME!
It's just assisting me into becoming the runner I eventually dream of being.
Training and assisting tools.
Because hey.... the past is always going to be part of you.
It's what you do with it that matters.
~~~
Think I want to run without my stuff today.
I need to remember why it is I run.
Then maybe tomorrow.....my "necessary" baggage will once again take up a spot- and I'll turn around and use it to make me someone I should be growing up to be.
~~~
"If you can find a path with no obstacles,
it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
~Frank A. Clark
21 comments:
My Daddy was a marathon runner back when all one needed was some shorts, t-shirt and good shoes.. He loved the freedom of running..
Now we load ourselves down with extra baggage(in life) ,and I wonder Why?
Yes, run without today and tell us how it was..
Wonderful analogy of living life. Great post! Enjoy some freedom for a day!
And how was your run? I hope oké!
Good post! I always feel like running is such a deceivingly expensive sport, when really ALL you need is a pair of good running shoes! But you're right...both with running luggage and life luggage that it is all about how you carry it! I've been pretty creative at carrying both. :]
My feeling -- some of the baggage we choose to carry around is the result of someone else telling us we need it in order to reach our goals.
Less is always more -- at least, that has been my experience.
I read this somewhere , but I thought it was good and wrote it down..
Many people die with their music still in them.. Why is this so? Too often it's because they are always getting ready to live.. Before they know it , time run out.. written by Oliver Homes.
Aren't you glad that your putting you music to life? If wishes were horses we would all take a ride.
Keep up with the running, with your stuff or not. BUT do take your cell phone and water.. Two necessary things incase of emergency. I can't run only walk so you are ahead of me.. I take my IPOD and listen to my Christian music.. That helps..
I admire you just for getting out and running!
I've noticed that sometimes you physically feel heavier with the baggage (emotional, stressful, needs to meet goals) you're carrying around. Once you let it go you feel pounds lighter, literally. It's incredible how much baggage/stress each of can take with us from day to day. I've been having a problem with this for the past two weeks or so. Unfortunately I dont have the capability to just drop them. I want to, but I don't seem to be able to. I try to take breaks and relax but the whole time I just feel guilty that I'm not doing more work, planning a lesson, or volunteering more with my club. It's hard to accept that we need to slow down.
As many have said before me, you are wonderful with your posts. I love the metaphors you make and how you address difficult topics with ease and care. I always get a smile from reading your blog. (Plus I get to work my brain some). :D
When you lay it out like that it IS alot of stuff isn't it?
I think it is good to do sometimes...lay it all out...see what you need and what you can leave behind..extra baggage can distract from the journey
Awesome post Dawn...good things to reflect on this morning!
love and light
I don't run but I am a VERY firm believer in keeping baggage to an absolute minimum, I mean MINIMUM! Life is so much easier that way!
xoxo
Oh wow, all that stuff for running? You are right, we really do carry a lot of "baggage" with us through life... time to simplify. :-)
before i killed my knees running I was always in "training." But the reality is I never really paid too much attention to the numbers...for a runner I really lacked any sort of competitiveness.
Oh my goodness friend...so well put. I love this today...
Feel Good hugs today. xoxoxo
I'm not a runner, I'm a soccer player & I know I need a lot of gear when I play soccer, but I never knew you need so much gear for running.
Thanks for sharing.
My Balazs is a runner and he used to have many things with him while running but nowadays he just gets dressed and his music and he is off..Great post, my dear!
Kisses
Ps: I am hosting a ban.do headband GIVEAWAY today! Please, join in!
Wow, what a fantastic post! I love the comparison and I often wonder how much excess I carry with me from day to day. I know that much of it is in the dump where it rightfully belongs but am I hoarder and trying to hang onto shreds of the junk? The one awesome thing about studying in the field of social work is all of the self reflecting, it's amazing how much I've let go of in this past 5 years, no not all from classes! lol I've totally reevaluated my life and even if the scale doesn't say I've lost weight, it sure feels like it!
So did you run without all of the extras today? :-)
Very Nice thought provoking post, so many things we carry with us but as you said it is good to get back to basics once in a while and leave that extra baggage behind.
Such a good post! I wonder what you are training for? I can't wait to get back on the running wagon. Our awful winter made me take a break and buy a cheap elliptical machine. Having taken that break with growing baby belly has made it really hard to get back out there and run (even at a preggo lady pace), so I keep with the elliptical. But the fresh air is SOO much better for us! So... did you run equipment free today?
WHAT a thought-provoking post!! You are so eloquent and this is full of meaning - thank you for the beautiful reminder, xo
I am in awe of the awesomeness of this post Dawn. I want to thank you for dropping by, and I will make note and add your blog on my bloggy thingy. It is good to step back and run with out all of the stuff sometimes. With out the clutter. You have given me an idea for an upcoming post. Thanks. I am thinking of an ipod shuffle, as I hear they rock as far as not so much weight, and not an arm band, etc.....
I think the key is to find that right balance between the tools/necessities you need and the unnecessary gadgets/baggage that weigh you down and hinder you, whether in running or in life.
Great post Dawn - thought-provoking as are so many of your posts !
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