The REALITY Of The Run.

It usually starts…

With a deep sigh of morning melancholy as my 4am alarm plays a light hearted melody to wake me out of my pre-run blues. I wearily shuffle around as I put on my running attire (that I prepared the night before) my brain then shifts into conflict with itself, wondering why I would want to put my body through such physical duress…because the truth of the matter is, it takes a lot of effort to get up and move when even the sun has yet to rise…

I set my smartphone running app making sure that GPS is ready to track any progress I make on such a physically demanding endeavour, however the weariness does slowly fade and determination kicks in as I saunter toward the door, I press play on my MP3 player…and then…

Take the first step…

Then another step, followed by another and as I continually repeat the process some inexplicable force gradually seduces my thought process and soothes my body into finding its own natural rhythm, which at this point, just so happens to collide with the dawn of an emerging sun.

Which is an incredible undertaking to be a part of because you experience something that delivers more soul than legendary queen Aretha or to put it another way; you feel a transcendent something that moves beyond descriptive language or definition that melts away my pre-run blues and touches my soul.

I often share my running results via my app through Facebook, so understandably people will congratulate me based on the result and distance achieved. I get it and I appreciate it but running is more than miles accumulated over time, it gives me access to the premium grade solitude, which allows my thoughts to breathe and provides a broader sense of perspective, and dare I even say some moments of clarity? 

The city of London has experienced some real tough blows with recent attacks by men with serious mental health conditions willing to kill and injure innocents in the name of a deluded ideology, not to mention unsuspecting residents whose tower block became the literal embodiment of hell on earth, as profit was given value over human life. In an increasingly fast paced digital existence sometimes I just need to take a step back from it all and just…

Breathe.

Running gives me time, space and distance so that it becomes my place of respite. It is my church, mosque, temple, synagogue but without a congregation because not only does it bring me a sense of peace,  it has literally developed my understanding of how the smallest step forward (or setback) is essential for the overall arc of a journey.

Looking back through my past entries, surprisingly I haven’t written many posts about a subject that is such an integral part of my life, but I understand that running really isn’t for everyone because despite the benefits it’s repetitive, exhausting and strenuous. Athleticism was never really my bag to begin with, as when I started running I struggled to run one mile around my local park…

Yet…

No gym membership is required, no monthly payments necessary and the treadmill is right outside my door. I hope you enjoy the photographs below, it’s very difficult to stop mid run without losing my pace, but I felt the results were worth the sacrifice if these pictures give a little taste of my experience.

Until next time.