The purity of running

There are lots of reasons to like running...the feeling of fitness, the freedom of running trails and paths, or even the time efficient manner of getting a run done. But the thing that I really like about running is the purity of it, being just you, the ground, and minimal equipment needed. You don't need a court, a pool, a machine (bike) or even other people. It is the rawest, simplest and most basic human movement beyond walking...and much faster!!!

Some of my favourite memories of the freedom of running come from travel and holidays where I've used running as a means to look around and quickly get an overview of each location, often in the early morning peace and quiet...it is fantastic. One that sticks in mind is from Paris, where one morning I ran from the hostel down to the Seine river, along to the Eiffel Tower, across to Place de la Concorde, in front of the Louvre, up the Champs Elysees to Arc de Triomphe, and back to the hostel...all in under an hour!! I then spent of the rest of the day re-tracing my footsteps as a tourist, not a runner.

As a contest, running is as pure as it gets...whoever can get to the finish line fastest, which depends little on technology, but a lot on your heart and muscles to get you there. The contest is as raw as the challenge of the event and the obstacles it throws up at you...not to mention the elements. The appeal of a marathon is universal, and it just wouldn't be the same if the distance was a round number, or the route was sheltered and flat.

Equal to the feeling that running provides are the experiences it brings, and space to use your mind without usual interruptions. Each run is a journey that can take your mind on a trip through all kinds of thoughts and ideas. A good run helps to clear your mind, sort through the 'noise' that can clutter it and process issues that have banked up over recent days. Your experiences in running are only limited by your mind, and where you want your legs to take you.

This all sounds very lovely, but one more thing I've learned in ramping up my own running is that it is not always "glamorous", and in fact is hard work. The days when you wake up early, swing out of bed onto tired and stiff legs, the thought of saddling up in your running gear and heading out the door can seem like plain old hard work, and your enjoyment meter barely moves above zero. It's those days where the motivation of a goal burns brightest, and you go for a run anyway knowing that if you didn't the day wouldn't feel complete. It's a little victory over your inner demons, and that hard work or not, the opportunity to go running should never be taken for granted.

Yes, it is the simplicity, freedom, challenge, reward and purity of running that I like most. As long as my legs and body are able to, I'll be heading out the door into the open space...for my legs and mind to explore.