Distraction vs Desire

Funny how I just started this blog and I already feel like it is time to talk about distractions while trying to fulfill desires and pursue certain goals. This week I was especially distracted. I had a Pharmacy School interview at the University of Utah and a midterm that took my attention WAY away from my running goals. I was able to put some miles in this week, but not as many as I would have liked. These times come in our lives when we feel overstressed, overworked, and like there is no time in the world for running. It is during these times that our distractions overcome our desires, and we have to find a way around it.

The funny thing about running is how I feel when I do it. I feel free, powerful, unique, capable, and just plain good. I have reached the point where I enjoy running, though I know I still have a long way to go before I can really claim a life of running is enjoyable to me. Nonetheless, I feel better running than during almost any other time. It is a time I get my thoughts together, a time I can calm down and relax, a time for me to just be me, and a time to get to know God a little better. I believe that running makes us better people; more patient, healthier, and stronger willed. We learn more from running than we realize and it helps mold our personalities for the better.

During these busy times we need to always remember why we run. Just to lose a little weight is not reason enough. For distance running there needs to be an enjoyment and love for running that is similar to how kids play when they're young. In the book I recently finished called "Eat and Run" by Scott Jurek, he speaks about finding that feeling of peace that only comes when we let ourselves become a part of the earth that we run on. Remembering the joy of running gets us through the times when we may seem to be losing our desire. Go for a run in some place new. Take off your watch and just go. Take the time to enjoy running again and you'll want to continue on the same road, with the same desires, once again. All it takes is a little remembering to push us forward.