Shakeout: The Pursuit of Happiness
Finding joy in every run
Last Friday, I woke up with the sun to get out on my favorite trails. This used to be standard Friday protocol, a routine so ingrained in my bones that I wake up at 4:59 a.m. without needing an alarm. Due to injury and training focus (roads, marathons, etc.), it’s been nearly nine months since I’ve been able to make the early morning pilgrimage. I knew this was going to be a fun run because I felt lighthearted and giddy the night before, the way my wife does when she knows a powder day is just one sleep away.
When I arrived at the trailhead and found my familiar space in the front right corner of the parking lot, it felt like a homecoming. Breathing deep, I nodded to the trees, and greeted the day with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. I’ve been pushing pretty hard on a number of fronts lately, and I wasn’t sure how my body would react to a fairly strenuous trail run. Really well, as it turned out. So well, in fact, that I didn’t mind pushing beyond my usual gear until I found a place that felt challenging without being overly strenuous.
Keep pushing, I told myself as I rambled over roots and rocks while vaulting downed tree trunks like a hurdler. Given safety concerns – i.e. tripping over roots and crash landing on rocks – I tend to keep things chill on more technical terrain. With an invitation to open the throttle, I found myself cruising over gnarly ground with the spirit of a child whose only concern is having as much fun as possible.
This is the way, my friends. This is the way.
Running is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to provide an escape from everyday life. It’s supposed to be something to look forward to, rather than just another thing to knock off a never ending to-do list. I don’t know about you guys, but life sure feels better when there’s a little more fun baked into the equation.
In this week’s Shakeout for paid subscribers, we’re zeroing in on our goal of dropping a sub-6 minute mile in our 50s. Plus, treadmill climbing and sharing some easy miles with my fifth grader.