I was thinking about this stupid fear I have of rolling my ankle when trail running today. And I realized that in none of the races I’ve done this year – have I ever heard of anyone rolling their ankles and getting hurt. So either A) everyone is in complete control and never exceeding their ability, e.g. pushing too hard and losing control or B) it’s a stupid contrived fear that’s holding me back in a warm snuggy blanket of safety because it’s something I fear.
A) is wrong because I know the people in the lead group and they’re completely out of control and running like mad.
It’s B.
I ran in thunder and lightening today in Forest Park. If you run toward the storm, in the direction it’s approaching, eventually you’ll pass through it. I squeezed my fist periodically to squeeze the water out of my gloves as I made my way. I was working hard and grunting loudly coming back over the Burnside Bridge — there was no one around except one drenched indigent man smelling like an ash tray as I passed him. I wonder if being homeless in a thunderstorm is like climbing an exposed ridge high in the mountains when the weather is moving in; you’re trapped, there is no shelter, no place to hide.
What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it. – Krishnamurti
First really wet and cold run of the Fall season. It reminded me of the months to come and the amazing feeling of warming up from the inside…from your belly out to your fingers and toes.
Étoiles et Tempêtes 