The running trail

Some things that came across my mind this morning while running. You'll find many common themes among this and that of the Yoga path. They are in no particular order.

• You must look ahead to insure you don't fall off the trail, but you must look down at where you are at, lest your feet become immersed in dog crap.


• Trails are circular in nature, bringing you back to where you started, but with new experiences. Being circular, there is ultimately no beginning and end, only arbitrary markers we set for ourselves.


• Goals we make are just to keep our mind occupied, to allow us to measure change. Reaching the goal never ends the journey.


• No matter how fast you run, there will always be someone that can run faster.


• On the running trail, you will encounter many ages, old and young.


• You may never have the stride of someone that is 6'2" or 6'5". Accept it and enjoy the stride you have.


• You'll come across many signs along the trail -- slow, keep right -- if we all try to adhere to them, we'll pass each other without incident. Pass on the left when possible, always check behind you so you don't cut someone else off.


• Sometimes there are obstacles on the trail that you must go around.


• The mind is ready to give up much sooner than the body, we need to be able to listen careful to distinguish the difference between the illegitimate complaints of the mind and the legitimate complaint of the body


• You need to remember to breath if you want to get anywhere


• Some turns make the trek longer than initially expected, but you will still get to wherever you set out to.