Hitting Zen

One of the best parts about running longer distances is that point where your brain and body sort of disconnect and your thoughts set you on autopilot. Even in my best of shape, this never really happened until 5 or 6 miles in, though. Generally this is where my body is warmed up, the initial exhilaration of being outside wears off and it sinks in that it’s not going to be a short (relatively speaking) maintenance run. 10 miles in and 15 miles in are where I’ve enjoyed things most in the past. My fitness level to-date has never really let me thrive in the 20+ range, but I’m hoping to get there someday.

Recovering from an injury robs you of those Zen moments. A mile and a half here, three or four miles there. It’s discouraging when all you want to do is head out and stay out.

That said, they’re runs, which I haven’t had regularly since October. I’m happy just to get outside and to not have the immense repercussions I was suffering a few months back. In running, and life in general, the long view is important. That’s something we’ve all learned and something we all know, but it’s still something I have to constantly remind myself of.

Lifestyle Choices

You could say I’ve spent the last week thinking more about running than actually running. A 5 day work trip to Southern California and not once did I make it out for a run along the ocean. This, despite, sleeping a mere 4 blocks away from it and taking my morning coffees sitting on a bench by the strand, watching other folks run. In a way, I felt intimidated by the amount of people out.

It seems like everyone in LA runs – and fast. There are roughly 2000% more runners out there than in Detroit, and at almost any time of any day, you’ll find at least a few people out no matter where you go.

Why are we Detroiters (as a whole) so out of shape? We can’t blame the weather, can we? Denver has the most physically fit population in the country, and they duke it out with the cold for half the year. Can we blame the economy for dampening our spirits, or do we just have a toxic lifestyle? Smoking’s still allowed in public places. Rampant obesity – even in children, high diabetes and high heart disease. Most people seem to care only superficially and in passing – not quite enough to change their habits.

One of my favorite quotes, by author Jim Harrison, reads:
Only in the midwest is overeating still considered an act of heroism.

This was proven true my last night in LA, as I out-ate each of my friends at an Italian restaurant notorious for its daunting portions. The only one who could keep pace was my friend from Jersey City (which is socioeconomically too similar to Detroit). When I’m running regularly, this appetite is somewhat justifiable. When only sporadically, it’s only justifiable insofar as I’m a Midwesterner. Which is to say, not really.