Tuesday 26 August 2008

On solitude

I thought I ran for fitness, to lose weight, to get those sexy runner's legs. But on my vacation this week, with enough time to actually think - I've discovered I was wrong. I run for solitude. This week I've got free days and friends and companions each night. You'd think I'd be on the road every day - no "too much work" or other people's plans to get in my way. But I haven't, and I think I know why. When I'm busy, I spend all day at work dealing with problems and people. I love my job. But it's not relaxing, especially for an introvert like me. I don't have time to reflect, or just be alone with my thoughts. So I run. When things aren't busy, I do actually take time all day to give my actions a little consciousness. And when, like this week, I have nothing pulling me to be with someone else and I have all the time in the world to think, I don't need the mental space running provides. So I'm doing other things - which is awesome and fun, but isn't going to help me across the finish line! Luckily the second half of my vacation next week (I do love the European vacation) will be with tons of people so I'll probably need the solitude.

Why do you run?

5 comments:

Adam Dunn said...

I, too, enjoy the solitude and the time to think. But mostly it's to push myself and find out where my limits are.

KristenCHealy said...

I run for many reasons: to stay fit and healthy, to challenge myself, and, like you, for solitude. But mostly, I run because I love it.

Unknown said...

I run because it allows me to feel 'normal' again, oh and I found myself just a little bit addicted after my first half!

Marathon Smalls said...

solitude, to think, to escape, to see and sightsee, boost seratonin levels, try out cool gadgets, lose weight.

C said...

In the beginning I ran for fitness. I still do, but now it's mostly because I like it -- the challenge, the solitude, the people watching, the escape.