In Medias Race



I read T.S Eliot’s, The Waste Land, for the first time when I was a high school junior. Obviously, I didn’t fully understand it at the time. I am not sure I do now, but the opening line stuck with me. At that point in my life, I was very naïve and did not know yet what real adult problems were. In April of that year, I was preparing for prom, ACTs, A.P. tests, banquets, finals, working a lot, and dealing with other issues. The month of April was exhausting and cruel to my 17-year-old mind. I only had a taste of what stress and trauma were, but it never failed every year going forward, the month of April felt chaotic, stressful, and overscheduled. It is possible that April is not any busier than any other time of year, but rather the call of warmer weather and new life bursting through the soil beckons us. Like the bulbs in the ground, we have been couped up in our warm offices and houses all winter and we are ready to be outside, refreshed and renewed. It seems cruel to continue pushing though our daily routine when nature and longer days are inviting us. 

This year, April has not been as daunting. Running has provided the opportunity to be outside and watch the earth wake up from the long winter, not to mention the added serotonin and confidence. Distance running is empowering and has had benefits beyond improved cardiovascular health. I am calmer, more confident, and finding myself living in the present more often. It is harder to fluster me at home or work. I take so much more in stride than. (Kudos to you endorphins.) Was this all I was missing: torturous, hilly runs early in the morning? 

Week 11 ended with a 10-mile run on a relatively flat course. There was one difficult hill climbing up an overpass, but otherwise, a really nice course. I woke up the following morning feeling great and energetic.  Based on my to-do list, I had an overwhelming day ahead of me, but all the work got done, I had a good lunch, and I finished the day writing and relaxing in a quiet bar. It was a good day. I owe my positive and much calmer outlook to running. Nothing seems as daunting. I am constantly reminded that difficult tasks and season do eventually end. You eventually have to come down every hill you climb. Running is not for everyone, but I hope everyone can find something that provides the same mental and physical benefits. My life has changed so much in the last 6 months. I cannot imagine going back.

P.S. I originally wrote this post last week while enjoying a drink in a real bar for the first time in over a year. On that particular day, the background playlist seemed to have been made for me. I created a Spotify list dedicated to that beautiful day and the fact I could relax for a bit.