Thursday, August 23, 2007

Check it off

I got in 3.1 miles today. It took about 25 minutes and was completely, 100% uneventful. The only event was the fact that I did it. It's all about just getting out there for me right now as I get my "routine" back on track.

I will say that my muscle memory is still intact. My first few strides felt completely natural. Not that it's all that complex to run, but I felt so comfortable doing it -- as if my body knew exactly what was coming, what I was asking of it, and got right in line. Not sure if I'm explaining that very well, but it was a cool feeling. I took it as a small reminder that even though I'm in a bit of a lull, I have put in a lot of work and miles. I am a runner. That was the feeling.

Has anyone else experienced that?

6 comments:

Agricola said...

Totally.

I don't equate it with muscle memory. It feels more like spending time with a good friend. Running is my friend and I'm happy to get back to the acquaintance It's comforting and comfortable

It's how I felt Wednesday on my first run in 6 days and there are other runs in the past where I was really conscious of the relationship between me and running. It's a real presence, and Running is always glad to have you back . . .

This makes no sense to anybody but me, I'm sure.

Steve DiMattia said...

When I do any kind of public speaking. Not the same thing.

Agricola said...

Sure it is. There are things that you do that you enjoy, maybe even love, and when you do them it feels good. This sense of well-being however transcends the physical sensation of performing the act. The act itself becomes a presence that accompanies you in your doing.

If that's not philosophical and obtuse I don't know what is . . .

VT Runner said...

I appreciate a dose of the philosophical and obtuse injected into my life every now and then. It yanks me from the mundane.

FreeArtist, I like your public speaking reference. I remember going to a debate club meeting freshman year back at our alma mater. I was blown away (and slightly intimidated) by your skills at the podium. It was my first real exposure to that kind of competitive debate environment, and it made an impression.

So, yeah, I second Agricola's opinion. It's the same thing that we're describing, only I'd say you're probably a better orator than I am a runner... at least you were back in the day.

VT Runner said...

On Agricola's original comment, my feeling was definitely more muscle memory than a reunion with an old friend. Mentally, I really didn't want to be out there, but physically, my body at least felt at home and on the program. I could check out while my legs did their thing.

Now that I think of it, the run highlighted the partnership that exists between the body and the mind in running. Usually, visualization and various internal dialogues play a big part in my runs, driving my body to do more. This time my body lead the way and my mind, which wasn't offering anything useful to the run, got out of the way.

Talk about obtuse. I have to get back to work!

Steve DiMattia said...

"The act itself becomes a presence that accompanies you in your doing." Heavy, but I totally get that. Peace, boys.