Running as Art

There is art. There is running.  And when you mix the two, there can be transcendence: running as art.

Running as art is an attitude. It means observing the world as you float along, and creating something from it what you see - even if it's just happy exhaustion. Running as art can change our perception of the world, our abilities and our place in it.  The art of: "Big hill, climb it." "Tired, overcome it." "Sore, push it." "Joy, experience it." "Beauty, feel it." "Hunger, feed it." "Love, give it." "Sadness, let go of it."

Good art makes you more real. Makes you feel the ground beneath you. Nothing grounds me in reality better than a hard run in the rain. When I am cold. The world looks amazing from that place of discomfort.  Our world is filled with comfort. To the point that we are dulled and numbed to it.  We wait on our couches for the world to come to us but it doesn't work that way. Running doesn't allow you to be dull or numb. To the contrary, you are forced continually out of your comfort zone.  Forced to acknowledge fear, limits, aspirations, love, beauty and so much more. Outside your comfort zone there There is no run that doesn't show you something new in the world or in your heart. I've never heard of anyone fall in love, decide to pursue a new job or find peace while watching Jersey Shores...yet for runners these experiences, large or small, are pretty common, all in all.

Running well doesn't mean running fast, in the art of the run, its the openness to the world. yourself and the discoveries just around the next bend in the trail that count.

Today the world is a big wet, cold blanket of fog so thick I won't be able to see the trees on either side of whatever trail I choose to run. No, I'm no Picasso, but I'm still going to create a masterpiece out there.

What will you create today?