A few weeks prior, I was able to revisit Bozeman for a weekend. Naturally, although most of the trip contained work, I figured I would bring along my trail running gear. Not knowing what to expect for weather, at the very least I could run around the town Sunday afternoon. I'll be the first to admit, after a season packed full of training and racing, it has been a challenge to get back the fire and motivation that makes me appreciate running. Luckily, I have been aware enough to realize this general apathy and chose to take a break for the majority of September and October to simply recharge. Throughout the last week and during my time in Bozeman, I was finally able to identify why I run and why running is such an impactful part of my daily existence. Here is what I have learned.
On the surface, running serves as the primary way that I exert my competitive drive that is mostly an internally focused battle. On any given day, I push myself to run faster, run further, or run more technically, redefining what I once saw as impossible or unimaginable. It is likely that this drive is mostly habit as sports have always played a significant part of my life. However, I also look at it as a way to grow, stay healthy, and channel this focused energy to other areas of my life. In general, I am simply Type A. The above observations are old news to me.
What I found more fascinating is what makes me truly "love" running. It really has nothing to do with competition and I found that through rediscovering my passion in Bozeman. Running is the primary way that I enjoy connecting with my surroundings. It's a chance to step into complete solitude, ignoring the thousands of distractions that constantly lay siege to my eyes and brain. It is the simplest way that I can travel many miles with minimal gear and explore places that I would either fail to notice or be unable to cover in such a small period of time. For me, running offers a heightened awareness and ability to reflect undistracted. It is truly my way to disconnect, which is why it provides me with the energy and focus to address and be present in all aspects of my life. I think that as the pace of life and technology increases, running will continually be my one chance to strip away technology and just focus intensely on the present.
As I ran that Sunday, the path I chose started as a wide but crowded gravel trail. The surroundings were gorgeous, but the number of dogs and people were slightly distracting. Within four miles, I was deep within the national forest, alone and completely exposed to the raw fall wind and icy drizzle. As the trail progressed into single track for the remaining 3 miles to a remote lake, all of these realizations flooded to my brain. Instantly, running once again became a passionate endeavor and not a daily slug fest. Once I arrived, I climbed up an outcropping to look over the lake, took in the surroundings, and simply turned around. The cold had settled deep within my skin and I was ready to return to the vehicle recharged. With one last deliberate pause, I saved both the image of my surroundings and the conclusions that I had come to in my head. At some point this winter or next summer, passion will once again get derailed by the thoughts of competition or other distractions in life. I hope the difference will lie in what I discovered about myself in Bozeman. Running isn't about the competition or fitness for me, its about the ability to unplug, experience my surroundings from the ground up, and recharge for the rest of life's journeys. Whenever you feel burned out in an area of life, take time to realign through reflection. There is always space for new discoveries, even within the most familiar.
On the surface, running serves as the primary way that I exert my competitive drive that is mostly an internally focused battle. On any given day, I push myself to run faster, run further, or run more technically, redefining what I once saw as impossible or unimaginable. It is likely that this drive is mostly habit as sports have always played a significant part of my life. However, I also look at it as a way to grow, stay healthy, and channel this focused energy to other areas of my life. In general, I am simply Type A. The above observations are old news to me.
What I found more fascinating is what makes me truly "love" running. It really has nothing to do with competition and I found that through rediscovering my passion in Bozeman. Running is the primary way that I enjoy connecting with my surroundings. It's a chance to step into complete solitude, ignoring the thousands of distractions that constantly lay siege to my eyes and brain. It is the simplest way that I can travel many miles with minimal gear and explore places that I would either fail to notice or be unable to cover in such a small period of time. For me, running offers a heightened awareness and ability to reflect undistracted. It is truly my way to disconnect, which is why it provides me with the energy and focus to address and be present in all aspects of my life. I think that as the pace of life and technology increases, running will continually be my one chance to strip away technology and just focus intensely on the present.
As I ran that Sunday, the path I chose started as a wide but crowded gravel trail. The surroundings were gorgeous, but the number of dogs and people were slightly distracting. Within four miles, I was deep within the national forest, alone and completely exposed to the raw fall wind and icy drizzle. As the trail progressed into single track for the remaining 3 miles to a remote lake, all of these realizations flooded to my brain. Instantly, running once again became a passionate endeavor and not a daily slug fest. Once I arrived, I climbed up an outcropping to look over the lake, took in the surroundings, and simply turned around. The cold had settled deep within my skin and I was ready to return to the vehicle recharged. With one last deliberate pause, I saved both the image of my surroundings and the conclusions that I had come to in my head. At some point this winter or next summer, passion will once again get derailed by the thoughts of competition or other distractions in life. I hope the difference will lie in what I discovered about myself in Bozeman. Running isn't about the competition or fitness for me, its about the ability to unplug, experience my surroundings from the ground up, and recharge for the rest of life's journeys. Whenever you feel burned out in an area of life, take time to realign through reflection. There is always space for new discoveries, even within the most familiar.