Run Love, Run

“What is love anyway? Does anybody love anybody anyway?” –Howard Jones

This is a bit late, but the sentiments of St. Valentine’s Day have finally caught up to me. I felt the need to discuss this since I’ve had it on my mind recently. I seem to fall victim to holidays in a belated way. This happened recently with the passing of Christmas. I got a strong urge (the Christmas Spirit you could say) to listen to Christmas music, drink hot chocolate with candy canes, and excited to wrap gifts, all during the week after Christmas. It wasn’t a bad thing, but I noticed that I was slightly out of sync with those around me. Or maybe it’s just the normal lingering feelings surrounding the holidays. Or perhaps it’s something more. It's almost as if I have this trait of suppressing my excitement until the big moment. I think it might have something to do with my way of thinking. I tend to wait until I know a certain event will happen or arrive before I let my emotions get rambunctious. This is partly due to my tough resolve and unusual patience that can endure a tremendous undertaking. Heck, it’s what gets me through these arduous races called Ultras. Running for two hours is a feat for many, but running for ten hours is unnatural. So why put myself through that? I guess you could say, love.

The emotion of love is a very subjective feeling. It can mean many different things to different people. And not that one interpretation is correct; they are all diverse and varied but still fit the need of each person. It is one feeling we can all relate to and I’m sure everyone’s explanation of it would more or less compliment each others. I’m not trying to tackle the entire range of this emotion, but simply expressing my understanding of it. So here it is. My interpretation is holistic. I feel that love is special in that it is not necessary to survive and function as a living being. However, I would not wish this loveless life on anyone for the experience of feeling love and being loved is one of the greatest facets of being alive. But I distinguish love from other emotions by recognizing its uniqueness. Love is unlike fear, anger, sadness, envy, excitement, hope or shame. It differs because it is a feeling that promotes connections that can expand over time and space. It is extraordinarily binding and fulfilling. Other emotions can bring people together but usually only situationally. Love can transcend continents, years, and even species. Love also permeates into other passions such as art, music, and sports. These adjoining passions can spring forth new emotions such joy, excitement, and wonder. And what other passion of mine encompasses many of these feelings? Hey, this is a running blog remember?

I love running and therefore, I run. But like most relationships, it’s complicated. I have a knack for always fitting in a run when I need it. I can do it anywhere without limitation to terrain, both distance and type. I can always find a road, trail, or park to run around in. I’m running madly in love with… running? But it’s more than just a dedicated passion for the physical movement of two limbs across the ground. In regards to what I mentioned about love transcending space and time, I really believe in this. Not because I feel that I am running through space and time (although this argument could easily be made) but instead I sense that love is a connecting force between not just humans but with the earth itself. I often find myself wandering around on a run and being able to come to a complete stop for a moment to simply pause and feel for something. I haven’t been able to pinpoint what that something is but I suppose I could call it love. Running through nature you can sense a presence that is amplified by the cadence of breathing and by the movement through it. I can gaze at the sky, a river, or an endless stretch of cornfield covered in ice and snow and I can feel the love. I know it may sound silly, but I’ve already grown accustomed to many bewildered looks and questions from people who can’t fathom the idea of running for fun. Although my explanation of love might give me more strange looks, I can live with that. So when I say I run because I love it, I also mean I run to feel love. Like I said before, it’s complicated. 

I know some runners can relate to these feelings but for those lost in translation, I guess to understand what I'm talking about you would have to "run a mile in my shoes." I have noticed that there are people who share this belief and I’m very happy to have found a voice which eloquently describes these thoughts. This individual I'm talking about isn't even a runner but she exudes a great philosophy that I identify with and keep with me on my runs. I’ll keep it simple and finish with her words which have inspired me to continue giving love to the world knowing it’s giving it right back.

 

“You might say that love and space and time depend upon one another for meaning, that they mutually illuminate one another." -Gretchen Legler