Embracing the love for running.
Introduction
As I journeyed through the diverse realms of yoga, Chinese martial arts (Bagua Zhang), Capoeira, and contemporary dance, I never imagined that my path would lead me to prepare for my first marathon. Yet, here I am, lacing up my running shoes and discovering that “run is love.” In this article, I will share my perspective on why running is a profound act of loving oneself and the world around us.
The Journey of Self-Love
My voyage through various forms of movement and expression has explored inward emotions. Yoga introduced me to the importance of self-care and self-awareness, the fine line of exploration, and pain injury recovery. Chinese martial arts taught me the value of standing in the center and balance within my being. Capoeira brought the joy of connection with children and games, and contemporary dance allowed me to off-center my balance. However, while training for my first marathon, I truly appreciate the depth of all-encompassing love that running can foster.
Running is a journey of shadow discovery. It is a continuous dialogue with shadows, a chance to listen to the body’s whispers. Through the sweat and the strain, I have learned to love and appreciate my body for what it can achieve when assimilated with my neglected parts. Every step and mile is a testament to being, resilience, and determination. It’s not that running will eventually offer me love due to endurance. To run, I have to develop love. There is no way around it; I must remind myself of this encompassing love at every stride. If I don’t, I will cramp up; my body will say no and cave in. The only way to run is to embody and nurture the love continuously.
Connecting with the Emptiness of Space
While my previous forms of movement and expression often involved interaction with others, running has provided a unique opportunity to connect with the release of emptiness around me. I feel a profound connection to the natural world as I pound the pavement or traverse scenic trails.
Running is an act of love for the space in its three-dimensionality. The most subtle adjustment in cadence, stride, pelvic tilt, and shift will change my positioning in the space. And in that manner, it is a celebration of the freedom of movement in its simplest form.
Active Loving
Preparing for a marathon has taught me the importance of embracing the toughness of loving. It’s not just about finding the ease in love. It’s working for it to keep it there; with its subliminal chemical nature, love tends to want to slip away like a playful fish slipping away for its life. Every training run is an opportunity to savor that feeling like an invisible person is running in front of you, backward, like a shadow.
Running is a love letter to the shadow itself. It is a commitment to growth, improvement, and excellence. It’s about cherishing the early sunrises, the moments of solitude, and the camaraderie of fellow runners you never met. It’s about falling in love with the dedication and discipline required to prepare for a marathon and realizing that the love for the process is just as significant as the love for the outcome.
Run
This eclectic path shows a profound truth. Running is an act of love for my shadow self, the exiled parts of me. Working with this shadow will heal my generational trauma. It will show me my repressed parts. It will cast light on the decisions made by my shadow to which I was oblivious. It will bring my shadows to my side of the equation so they can push in the same direction and not hang and lean on me like a dead weight.