What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

A few days ago, someone posed the seemingly simple question, "Do you actually enjoy running?" And it got me thinking.Often times with the turbulent tides of our current day and age and the need to stay afloat, I think people forget to stop and think whether or not they actually value what they are doing or whether they are just going through the motions.

I raced XC and track in high school and that was the extent of my competitive running career. I continued to run for fun post high school and college, and still run to this day. I haven't ran a marathon yet, and am not sure if I ever will. I compete in races infrequently and don't really stick to a strict training schedule anymore. For the most part I run alone. I still get down on myself for for missing a day, and I still run tempos and the occasional workout. For what reason, I'm not sure. Additionally, I still wear a watch on my runs and know the mile markers on my most frequented routes.I think I am what most would consider a hobby jogger, albeit at the quicker end of the spectrum.

Sometimes I have a difficult time motivating myself to get out the door, but usually five or ten minutes into the run the endorphins start to flow and I am glad I am putting forth the effort to get outside moving. I think the thing I enjoy most about running is being healthy and fit, being fast, being outside, and the post workout glow. But there are many other means to reach the same end.

Trail running is great. Running off road is something i really enjoy. Running through fields of flowers and along single track up a ridge is a real rush, however in that environment I usually rather be riding a mountain bike. I have enjoyed the peace and quiet of a snowy run many times, but almost always rather be nordic skiing or snowboarding if it's cold enough for there to be snow on the ground. Sometimes I run to clear my head, but listening to the monotonous rush and hypnotic burble of water while casting to a rising trout is a more effective, and sometimes more fulfilling, means of peace of mind.

On a psychological level, I think I view being healthy, fast, and fit as a measure of one component of self worth and running as a means of self improvement. The minimal gear required to participate in the sport as well as the nominal impact to the environment both sit very well with my mindset and are aspects I truly value in running.

All that being said, biking/skiing/boarding/fishing are all such gear-centric and expensive hobbies, both in terms of money and time. It is very hard to argue against the simplicity and utility of running. As an environmentally minded individual, it is also difficult to look past the 'green' aspect and ease of simply being able to walk out your front door in order to practice the sport.

So short answer, yes. I like running. But I like many other things, too.

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No way....

I took my Sister to see Trey Anastasio and the Atlanta Symphonic Orchestra! I think there were 61 musicians on the stage all at the same time! Pretty cool. And I met Trey.

No way, you say? YES WAY!!!!

The Music Never Stopped

Long time, no post. Just thought i'd share this. Be well everybody!

Destiny Unbound

Welp, I celebrated our independence with a whole lot of phriends at Watkins Glen, NY. USA! USA! USA!!!

Photo #4 and 6 courtesy of G. Lucas. Photo #5 courtesy of Phish!

Tall Buildings

Welp, it has been three weeks since i have left South America, and man, it has been a busy three weeks! I am still living out of a backpack (which is a-okay with me) and feel like my life has yet to slow down! Maybe it's just all this fast paced, on the go all the time city living - who knows?

Since my return I have traveled to Pittsburgh and Ohio, visited family, did a bit of packing, did a bit of moving and shaking, returned to Atlanta, did some unpacking, and started a new job. All in two weeks! While i was initially worried about the reassimilation process - understanding street signs, menus, what people are saying, driving in crazy traffic, and dealing with the hot hot heat. - i think i've been staying too busy to really worry about any of it. Life is just as crazy now as it was five months ago living in a 2br 1 ba house with seven strangers, albeit a little busier.

Gone are my South American days of living life all foot loose and fancy free. I used to wake up at whatever hour suited me, sans alarm clock, and ask myself, "self, what will you do today? Go fishing? Explore artisan ice cream shops? Read another book or maybe just go sit in the park and try not to get lost? Is that enough to feel accomplished and feel like you've made the most of the day? Sure it is! You're in South America!" To live the easy life... it was good.

Now, my days are are a bit more structured: wake up at 6:18, hop in the car and drive to begin work at 7:30, sit in a cube behind a computer pushing buttons and clicking the mouse in the hopes that i will not destroy or crash the database, hop back in my car and do battle with traffic, and then go hang out with my family for the rest of the night! Wash. Rinse. And repeat. It's not exactly adventuring across the Patagonian wilderness, but its not exactly terrible either. Living the city life and surviving my cube life is definitely a challenge, but it is an interesting change of pace and very nice to be with my family.

Language Less of the Day: Someday my darling when i am a man, and others have taught me the best that they can - they will sell me a suit, cut off my hair, and send me to work in tall buildings. So it's goodbye to the sunshine and goodbye to to the dew. Goodbye to the flowers and goodbye to the sky so blue . I'm off to the subway - I must not be late! I'm going to work in tall buildings. Say it with me now! Algún día mi amor cuando yo soy un hombre, y otros me han enseñado lo mejor que se pueden - me venderán un traje, me cortarán mi pelo, y me enviarán a trabajar en racacielos. Así que es adiós a la luz del sol y adiós a la condensación. Adiós a las flores y adiós al cielo tan azul. Me voy al metro - No debo llegar tarde! Voy a trabajar en racacielos.

Everything Merges with the Night

Welp, i finally visited Valparaiso - the vale of paradise! Staying much more true to it's name than my hometown in IN, Valparaiso is a very beautiful and colorful city. Houses cling to hillsides and steep, narrow streets create a maze of pathways through town. Very cool, indeed.