RUNNING clears my mind.
It also allows for inspiration to come.
I mean, once my mind is empty, it is once again open for new ideas.
***
Many people run for their physical health—weight reduction, release of toxins through sweat, muscle exercise.
I run mostly for my mental health—stress relief, clearing of thoughts, meditation occasioned by the repetitive action of moving one step at a time, having fun, being seen by miserable people who can’t run.
***
I take pictures when I run.
I keenly observe the sky.
The clouds at sunrise.
The birds on the estuary.
The flowers on the roadside.
***
I greet people when I run.
They honk horns when they see me.
They call out my name when I pass by them.
I’m a happy runner.
That’s why I like dressing up during fun runs.
Being seen, and being cheered are good for my mental and emotional health.
***
There is a certain sense of affluence in running.
I know that I am richer than most people when I run.
Poor people do not run for fun.
Poor people do not have the time to run.
Whatever time poor people have, it’s all devoted to earning a living.
Poor people are slaves to work.
And who would like to run after hours and hours of physical toil?
***
Running is expensive.
You need good shoes, running gears.
Fancy runners have visors, sunglasses, Fitbit watches, earplugs for their running music playlists, dry fit clothes, neon shorts and shoes, et cetera.
And if you want the medals, you need money to register in official runs.
You need to get there on the site.
You need to eat, to carbo-load.
And if you are like me, you need electrolyte drinks, massages before the run, spa services after.
***
Rich people don’t run much.
Why run when you can drive a Porsche?
From my experience, rich people do not do long distance running.
They may run 3K or 5K for the fun of it. Or just to be seen.
But for every rich person who runs the 42K, I can give you 10 people of lesser wealth who will run the same distance for a mere P5,000 first prize cash award.
***
I do not run for the podium or the cash.
I have great respect for runners who can do both speed and endurance.
I’m only running for the bragging rights.
For self-affirmation.
For the idea that I can still do this at 54.
***
During my last practice run of 11.8 kms in Dumangas, a middle-aged guy driving an e-bike asked me.
What route did I take?
How far is the whole run?
How long does it take for me to finish?
His biggest question, Can you still do it (to the finish)?
I told him, Not as fast as he can with his e-bike, but I will finish any run I start.
***
He asked me if I was over 40 years old.
I asked him how old he was.
He said he was 35. (He looked much older than I am!)
I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
So I said, Yeah, I’m older than 40.
Of course, I really wanted to say, I’m 54; I’m 20 years older than you are!
***
My mom just wants to ruin my day.
Now, she insists on the ladder.
She said she has ordered her room painted.
Really, today of all day?
Today, when my snail-paced painter said he really needed the ladder to finish the job?
I told you my mom could be a big nasty female dog.
***
As a long distance runner, I believe that however long the procession is, it all leads back to the church.
It all boils down to patience.
One cannot be a long distance runner without patience.
I always proclaim that patience is not my virtue.
But in truth, it is.
I am most patient.
I may role-play impatience, but I am essentially patient.
If I’m not, I would have already choked a lot of people./PN
