I don’t know if I’m an oddball, or completely normal in how I view running. I’ve said here before that, for me, swimming is the most meditative experience I achieve. But, running? That’s another thing entirely. It’s metaphysics. It forces me to examine my constructed reality, my identity, with every step, every mile.

When I was sick, my 5-mile-per-day self was relegated to short walks. Really short: down the hall, around the house, to the back patio to soak up the heat my suddenly cold-blooded, reptile-like self couldn’t get enough of. 🙂 And, of course, the physical therapist who helped me on the start of the lymphedema journey, but also told me that chemo essentially kills muscle memory.

The first 5 mile run I managed, post-cancer, was on the treadmill. I didn’t do it because I wanted to, or because I *missed* running: I did it to find out if I was still in this body somewhere. I wanted to re-discover myself, after what felt like a long time rolling from one doctor to the next.

I didn’t re-discover, though. I had to discover my physical self, like a new person. That 5 mile run was like the first run, ever. And the next day was a misery I don’t know that I had ever felt from running.

But I do it. On the days I don’t want to, the days I’d rather be lazy, I run. If I don’t feel up to running, I walk. It’s more than motion. There’s a faith and logic at the same time.

So, some others’ thoughts on running, for this Friday night.

“If you have the courage to fail, then you have the courage to succeed.” ~ Shalane Flanagan

“Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that there is no reason to fear starting lines…or other new beginnings.” ~ Amby Burfoot

“Desire: the starting point of all achievement.” ~ Napoleon Hill

“Once you make the decision that you will not fail, the heart and body will follow.” ~ Kara Goucher

Blessings to you all, and never give up…