As the thought of actually being lost entered my brain, I actually began to realize that I was actually lost. I think I missed a turn somewhere on this rainy, thundering night. The day started good. I went to work early with every expectation of getting my Mid-distance training run in after work. Until this girl I was seeing for the past two weeks said she was getting off of work early… that’s how it always starts. So putting aside my other mistress, running, me and her meet at Starbucks. I figured I wouldn’t just give up on all girls. Truth is I was happy to be single. Freedom. Well, long story short it wasn’t me it was her. The normal story which I was actually fine with for some strange reason. After we said our see you laters I felt like I should be upset, mad, something. I missed my run for this? It was thundering and pouring rain out while we were hanging out so I already was rescheduling the run some other time in the week. My mistress needs her time. I looked at my watch looking at a blank screen staring back at me. Just another stressor in my life. A runner’s watch is not just a watch, it’s a loyal friend. Besides shoes a watch is a crucial piece of equipment every runner needs. Time was not on my side. Instead of just stressing out over everything in my life. I, like an airplane on autopilot drove to the mountain bike trail near my job not worrying about all the stresses in my life. It was dark or close to it when I got there, not a soul around except for the bats. Throwing the watch somewhere in the car out of sight I threw on my run get up and started running. It was dark and rainy at least the thunder had stopped by now.
Maneuvering around the ankle high puddles proved to be an especially tricky skill to master due to the unusually tighter single track. Eventually the inevitable happened and I gave way to the puddles in the path, striding right into the muck. The rain kept on coming down. Then the thunder started again. This may sound like the beginning of a scary movie but was actually one of the calmest and enjoyable sensations I possibly ever felt while running. Not to be to hipster, but I felt like one with nature and the trails around me. It was impossible for me to be stressed out about anything that was going on in my life at the moment. Everything was dialed in. Flow. That sensation you get when everything just clicks. I felt like I could run forever. The feeling doesn’t happen often anymore but when it does it is always worth it. Being surrounded by this negative world and its ways can make you feel tired. It may sometimes seem easier to just go along with everyone else. You just have to get started in doing what is good. I repeat, just get started doing what is good and don’t talk yourself out of it. Sometimes it’s hard but by persevering in this beneficial goal you can achieve anything. Just have that positive mindset.
Flow doesn’t happen all the time but it is always something to look forward to and to strive for. Maybe it was the fact that my watch had died so there is no proof that this run actually took place. For all I know I could have dreamt it. That would explain the werewolf I saw among the flashes of thunder. I still never told me mistress why I was late to see her that day, but I was glad I met up even on a rainy, stormy day.
-Barton-
