"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Unknown
I love to read all the expressions that pass me in the opposite direction as I run. Some of the faces show great concentration, others determination, a few seem to be in pain, but mostly I see huge smiles. I believe I am generally smiling while I am running as well. There is something magical about covering distance outside. I believe I connect to some animal instinct when I run, some primal force that was ingrained into the human psyche many evolutionary cycles ago. I do not think I could ever be a treadmill runner. I just cannot imagine a 5 mile run without gorgeous scenery and smiling faces. Although running is a very solitary activity, I feel connected to everyone I encounter. There is an unspoken language that passes through a knowing glance, a "good for you!" energy that pervades the trail. Even though I have participated in numerous "team" activities, this running thing has helped me feel more connected and more a part of something than I have ever experienced. Last Saturday I ran quite early in the morning and there were several little pods of runners training together. For a moment I thought perhaps I was missing out on something by training solo, but then I realized that I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe I need to be separate to feel included, maybe that is why I have always felt on the outside. Maybe the only way I can ever truly be part of something is to keep myself at a slight distance....
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