so many times in my life, I clearly see the correlation to running and the larger concept of a life well-lived: running is, at turns, glorious, awful, rewarding and punishing- just like "real" life...
lately, I have been focusing on shorter runs, as part of my preparation to run the La Jolla Half-marathon, which has a couple of truly daunting hills at some nasty mileage points (mile 6-7 and mile 12).
so, while there is absolutely no denying that the "long run puts the tiger in the cat", many lessons can be learned from shorter runs:
-i'm focusing on breathing: making sure that before the distance gets too great, I am concentrating on proper technique and staying in control. (in life, there is much to be said for focus, control and practice)
-i am trying to monitor my form: arms right, upper body just slightly forward, head slightly forward and shoulders down. (in life, tension and stress can bedevil you before you even realize it. you have to practice keeping ahead of it)
-in longer races, i fall apart. totally, not kidding! just like in the later stages of labor, I just lose my mind. [sorry, but there is something about having someone's head out of you, and someone's shoulders in you, that makes me lose my composure] during the shorter runs i am practicing keeping my head together, starting strong and finishing strong. i will take these same habits and apply them to longer runs. (in life, the little steps and mis-steps along the way add up to create character)
so, whatever the challenges you face on your "little runs"- i wish you peace!
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