A Garden Run

I headed out for an 8 miler the other morning on my usual Kennerly road route. Nothing unusual about this stretch of road except I always seem to notice something different about the scenery on a regular basis. I guess that is because this route is in a rural setting that passes by sections of large forest and farmland with the occasional house inter twined between the two. I was only out about a mile from my home when I passed by a distant neighbor that was carefully turning the weeds under that had invaded his two plus acre garden. He was slowly plowing through the middle of the rows of corn, watermelon, beans and squash. I have become accustomed to seeing this event year after year since this particular garden is on my normal route but this morning it caused me to think about how running and even life in general relates to this garden.

 We are all aware that our desire to keep our running base fitness is directly related to how often we run. This is even more directly correlated as we age. That being said, I thought about the amount of time and energy that is utilized to care for this garden. If the gardener only dropped a few seeds in the ground and then returned several months later to reap his effort, he would probably be very disappointed. It is because of his commitment to plant, water, fertilize and weed that allows him the sweet taste of rewards in the months ahead.

 It is the same with our training. Imagine if we purchased a $125 pair of running shoes and then set them in our closet until race day. We wouldn't expect to run very far just because we purchased a good pair of running shoes. The shoes may help with our comfort while running but they do not make you a runner. You make the runner.

The farmer reminded me of why I was out on the road. I was out for a run to enjoy the outdoors and work on my training. I was out there because I understood that the end results of that days run would or could just be the fact that I did something just for myself. I was keeping the weeds out of my thoughts and actions as I ran. Most people just simply call it a training run. I would say however that for me, it was about keeping my running garden in condition to taste the rewards at my next event.

So what about you? Is that a weed I see growing out of those running shoes sitting in the corner of your garage? Lace em up and get out there.