The next day (despite an annoying hip injury I’m still trying to shake,) I got
out of bed and said to my wife “I’m off for a run.” With a cacophony of
noise from the thoughts, questions and “jobs to do”, screaming for my
attention inside my mind, I needed a release.
It wasn’t a long run – an easy 6km. The hip hurt and the legs were heavy,
but the steady rhythm of my footsteps and breathing, the win d in my face
and the familiar sense of just being – escaping from the world into my
running mindset – helped me process what had happened, think about
mum and reflect on life.
As the trees and paths went by, it made me think how quickly a life seems
to pass after it has ended when it is someone close to us; but when they
are alive, you don’t expect, or can’t imagine, them not being there for you.
In some ways a lot like a marathon.
The distance seems insurmountable at the start of the race and at times
the miles seem to click over at an interminably slow rate. But when you
cross the finish line, the race seems to have passed quickly. A day or so
later you’re even thinking that it wasn’t so bad – when in the middle of the
race you might have been thinking “What idiot signed my up for this
torture!” – and it was probably you. We often forget to embrace the race
when we’re in it, and only appreciate it when it’s over.
Life is a marathon. There are times during a race when you feel that you
are indestructible and could run forever. At other times, you can find
yourself counting down your footsteps to the next drink stop and cursing
the next hill on the horizon as you push the limits of your body and mind.
Life is the same. You have your good days, and your bad days. Self doubt,
fear, pain, anger and despair. And then other days there is joy, laughter,
pride, excitement and success. The Yin and Yang of life.
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