The view from my run this week
I'm not an athlete. I don't win medals, and I have weeks where my run total is exactly didn't-even-put-my-shoes-on. However, running has helped me develop a more regular meditation practise. The great thing about running for me is that it's addictive. Every time I go through a period of time without a run, I get to a point where I need to run. And come rain, snow, or shine, I just gotta put on the running shoes and get out there.
Moving from Australia to the northern hemisphere two and a half years ago meant encountering cold weather. Real cold weather. I had never really experienced anything below zero degrees (32F), and my first English Christmas was a horrible shock to the system. I had a slightly bizzare, self imposed, rule that if the temperature was below 8C (46F), it was too cold for a run. The thermometer continued to drop. My runs became less frequent. The temperature hit zero... And my addiction kicked in. I headed out for a jog dressed in two pairs of socks, thermal tights, beannie, gloves, and a windbreaker.
It was cold. Within a few minutes I couldn't feel my face. I kept going. My run time was decent, mainly because I was trying to get through the kilometers and back inside! But it did teach me a valuable lesson. Just show up. It could be bad. It could be good. It doesn't matter. You showed up to the practise. This week saw me heading out for my run with the temperature reading a balmy -11C (12F). I never imagined I could run when it was that cold. And yet, I could.
Some practitioners will tell you that when you least feel like meditating, that is the best time to meditate. It's so easy to make excuses. I'll do it later, I'm too busy, I don't feel like it, it's too cold...
Whatever your practise is, as the slogan goes, JUST DO IT. Just show up, and the rest will follow.
Moving from Australia to the northern hemisphere two and a half years ago meant encountering cold weather. Real cold weather. I had never really experienced anything below zero degrees (32F), and my first English Christmas was a horrible shock to the system. I had a slightly bizzare, self imposed, rule that if the temperature was below 8C (46F), it was too cold for a run. The thermometer continued to drop. My runs became less frequent. The temperature hit zero... And my addiction kicked in. I headed out for a jog dressed in two pairs of socks, thermal tights, beannie, gloves, and a windbreaker.
It was cold. Within a few minutes I couldn't feel my face. I kept going. My run time was decent, mainly because I was trying to get through the kilometers and back inside! But it did teach me a valuable lesson. Just show up. It could be bad. It could be good. It doesn't matter. You showed up to the practise. This week saw me heading out for my run with the temperature reading a balmy -11C (12F). I never imagined I could run when it was that cold. And yet, I could.
Some practitioners will tell you that when you least feel like meditating, that is the best time to meditate. It's so easy to make excuses. I'll do it later, I'm too busy, I don't feel like it, it's too cold...
Whatever your practise is, as the slogan goes, JUST DO IT. Just show up, and the rest will follow.
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