This Running Journey: A Lucky Find!

It's not a secret to anyone who reads my blogs that a) I love to read and b) I love used book stores. I had an appointment in Modesto at the VA so I decided to go early and stop at a used book store that I like going to. I went just to look but came across the book pictured and decided to buy it. As it turns out, it was a good decision. The author, Paul Vorwerk, wrote simply and yet eloquently about this sport of running. It was outstanding because in my opinion it was written from the perspective of "every man" as opposed to some "elite runner's" perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone who might ask themselves, "Why do people run anyway?"

Here are some of the highlights that I took from the book: Mystical Miles - Running, living, beaming by Paul Vorwerk

"Focusing on process, also gives the goal perspective. It's not achieving the end that is always important, if it was I could simply drive a car to the end of a marathon. It's the process of getting there as well. The end state is not the sole determinant of achievement....In Robert Louis Stevenson's words, "I travel not to go anywhere but to go. the great affair is to move".

"Runners don't need a perfect world before they start running -- they can just go out and run. But there is magic in the running, a clear and brilliant magic. Each step is a stitch on the cloth runners embroider, a record, a dab of paint on canvas, a note in a symphony. Each step is unique and we choose to enhance it. In so doing, we begin to perfect our lives. And while they run, they can listen deeper to the sound of life and the rumble of being".

And some of his thoughts on "Running and Healing":

"No-one is lucky enough to remain perfect from the time they are born. It's inevitable that things will go wrong. We may hold out or hold on and cope, but along the way we get battered, whether we know or acknowledge it or not.
The unluckier among us are targeted, attacked and abused. They have terrible trauma to deal with. It's hardly credible, but some people have a horrible ability to visit unutterable hurt on others.
The rest of us face the stress and strain of living, getting bashed and bruised, and developing unhappy ways of coping -- overeating, drinking, avoiding contact with others, panicking, smoking, starving, becoming angry, stealing; mostly avoiding and rationalising. Perhaps this is what life is meant to be like. Perhaps not.
There is healing in doing the right thing. Running is one of these. Given time, running gently strengthens, can repair, and provide an environment in which to recover and grow. The healing may go unnoticed at first, partly as it is not a dramatic, overnight change. To process, correctly, is slow and sure.

"Done the right way, running promises gentle, sure healing.

"Similarly, when prospects look bleak, running shows a way out. When things keep going wrong and there is little of value to look forward to, or it is out of reach, regular running helps. There are always races in the future to run, events to look forward to. Each weekend has a purpose. Just through running, we end up welcoming the future, and wanting to get there in good shape.

"Self-healing is a fun and workable process. the process is important -- more important than the content; meaning that running isn't the medicine or the bandage, and certainly not the only way to self-healing. But healing is in what running enables: building physical and spiritual health through running with a grin -- through accumulating lots of small easy steps. They are easy because running means only doing what we can. Running soon leads to a more healthy lifestyle, to a positive attitude -- it's easy, fun, satisfying and sure."

I returned to Ripon to run the Color the Skies 5K. The race got started late because of the traffic being so backed up for the balloon launch. Fortunately the day was much cooler than last year so the slightly later start didn't hurt. It's a nice small town race for the most part but for some reason they cut back on everything and once again charged us to park even for the race. The parking fee is frustrating because you're forced to pay it, there is nowhere else close enough to park and walk. Fortunately I had some money in my glove compartment knowing that they might charge. I say might because one year they did, then the next they didn't and now this year, they did. My bet is I will find a different race next year. The main reason that I have gone each of the past three years is because it is part of our club's Grand Prix series.

Meanwhile this has been one of those times when I appreciate how fortunate I am to be retired and have the opportunity to train whenever it works out best. We had a crazy heat wave here in the Valley and that was followed by some very smoky days because of the out of control fires north of us. It would be easy to talk yourself out of running under adverse conditions but realizing how quickly I can get out of shape encourages me to get out almost every day.

The worst day!

And after the heat we had a few days of the smoke. It was just an inconvenience for those of us here but it is a horrible situation for those who have been directly affected by the wildfires in California.