Bits and Pieces Part XXI: Joy or Motivation?/Gratitude for the Day

Kate from the Blog - What's On My Mind - expressed her honest feelings on running. It was only a few paragraphs in a post about her recent trail ride. Yet, for some reason my eyes and mind zeroed in on two paragraphs with regards to her lack of "joy" in running. I really liked what she had to say. It brought out some interesting thoughts in myself as well. Do we run out of Joy for it or Motivations like keeping the waistline trim or for other healthy reasons.

 For me it is both. First, though I have a great deal of joy in running. It is hard to define at times, it comes out in different ways. It might be one thing on one day or many other reasons the next. For example, just knowing I can do this still after many sports/athletic/recreational injuries is one feeling of Joy. Yet, lately I have noticed something else. Some of it is Freedom.The feeling I can really just lace them up and GO as far as my body will allow.

More specifically there is this though. That is the further and further I GO. The longer and longer I run, I really get a since of BEing that is unmatched. I hate the phrase "Runners High". It really doesn't describe fully what I am talking about, and I am one of those people that really dislikes overused phrases thrown out like a blanket to cover the meaning of everything - yet means nothing at all specifically (ie never, ever say "out of the box" anything around me. Huge pet peeve!)

Anyway, the best description of this joy I feel the more miles or even hours I rack up in a run - is transcendental. Meaning, some point in any run, long run specifically, I start repeating in my mind what motivates me right now. It might be something my wife said or does. My kiddos. It might be something you as bloggers have said or done as runners. It might be some personal motivating thoughts. Here is one. Knowing that someone like Jamie Donaldson is out there running up to 200 miles a week sometimes in her training is pretty mind blowing. When I get to a point in any run - I can go no further, thoughts of her Superhuman feats and complete and utter focus on the word - DETERMINATION puts me in a state of not wanting to ever stop. Pain, thirst, hunger or fatigue - I just don't want to stop. It is really weird, but I like it. That is my joy.

Motivation. That is what gets me out the door to allow the joy to take over. Motivation is easy for me at this point. Losing my Dad to heart disease way to early. One of my Sisters leaving way too early to Lung Cancer when she never smoked or lived in that environment. My Mom fighting the affects of Parkinson Disease in her life. Then also the loss of my oldest Sister who had a heart of gold, laughter beyond measure and unconditional love for all - yet neglected her own self and health (obesity) to the point of death. ALL HUGE motivating factors that have me lacing up the ASICS to go the distance.

Thanks Kate for bringing these thoughts out of me today!

Gratitude for the Day

Okay, I was going to post a great pix, but Blogger seems to be having some issues today. Or, maybe it is just my PC? Anyway, grateful on this Veterans Day for all who have served in times of conflict. 

In between our morning neighborhood Soccer game and afternoon Football game with the kiddos and friends. We spent time talking about the Veterans who served in both World Wars and even spent and interesting moment talking about the Civil War as well in our house. Which led us to reading the Gettysburg Address of Pres. Lincoln. Love it when my kiddos are curious about History.

Cheers!