WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING

I recently read Haruki Murakami's memoir, "What I talk about when I talk about running." It is hard to believe that I had not read this sooner since I love running and Murakami's novels including, "Norwegian Wood, " "Sputnik Sweetheart, " and "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki" among others. Perhaps you saw the movie, "Drive My Car," based on one of his short stories? That film, which was about grief, loss, and human connection - despite all types of barriers, including language - blew me away.

Similarly, "What I think about..." was a magical book. Yes, it was about Murakmai's love of running and how he took up that pastime in his early 30s, some 30 years ago. However, it is more about a way of living resolutely. It is a reminder that there is great value in putting one foot in front of the other and never giving up. That he has run at least one marathon per year for the past 30 years is a testament and that he continues to write so well are the best expression of that philosophy.

I was reminded of my own marathon experience from New York some 21 years ago. I had trained hard for that day and was attempting to use my race time to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I needed to run 3:10:59 in order to qualify. I got off to an amazing start, running the first half in 1:38. However, my quads gave out after the halfway point. For the last nine or so miles, I had to use my shins and calves to push off the ground to propel me forward. I never considered quitting and finally crossed the finish line in a time of 3:46, well off my goal. 

Afterwards, I was plagued by pain in my shins anytime I ran. I was later diagnosed with chronic compartment syndrome and underwent fasciotomies on both legs. Afterwards, I could not run without pain for over two years, which was one of the hardest times in my life. Ultimately, my legs healed, and I decided to try running again when we moved to Portland. I settled for shorter distances and incorporated cross-training. The 5K - rather than the marathon - became my go-to race. 

Eventually, I set my sites on another goal that seemed similarly aspirational to my Boston qualifying time - a sub 20 minute 5K. In 2015, some 11 years after New York, I reached that goal finishing in 19:25 - a pace of 6:17 per mile and good enough for 26th overall!

I continue to run at least 5K per day, though I am doing less races these days. My favorite route is a loop through Gallup Park at dawn each morning well before the sun comes up, and I have been running this route since the pandemic - in rain, sleet, and snow (but not ice). Sometimes Cate joins me, which makes the run even more special. My daily run is as close as I come to zen each day.

At the end of each run, I gaze up the sky and raise my outstretched arms. I am not thanking anyone, in particular. Rather, I am reveling in the fact that I am still able to do the thing I love at the age of 51 and despite a lot of miles on these tires. That is what I talk about when I talk about running!