The Pleasures of Running

I've been thinking about this topic for some time. Dean Karnazes first got me thinking about it in his book 50/50/50. Dean is an elite ultra-marathoner. He said the reason he doesn't eat processed, fried or fatty foods has more to do with being a hedonist than trying to be healthy. Eating right just makes you feel good.

But the pleasures one feels from running and eating right, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many pleasures associated with running, is it hedonism? So I look up hedonism in the dictionary: "People whose life is devoted (above all other values) to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification." No it's not hedonism, but it got me thinking. I wish there was a more positive word to describe the pleasures I get from running.

I know many of you can relate to how good a warm shower feels on a cold day. But have you sensed the warm shower over your body after a long run on a cold day? The muscles in your body are warm from the run while the extremities are cold. The sensations of the warm water as it soothes and mingles with the aching muscles and cold extremities just can't be described. Or what about how it feels to just drink a glass of cold water after a hard run on a hot day? Looking at us drinking water, you'd think we were drinking a glass of cold beer or an expensive bottle of wine. But no, it's just water. Water that cuts through and refreshes our dry mouths and feels like it is instantly absorbed into our system even before it reaches our stomachs. Do you think I exaggerate?

I speak of running, but this is true for many activities like yoga and cycling. These activities teach us to have an acute sense and understanding of our bodies. We feel and become intimately aware of every muscle, bone, tendon (and oh yes, every organ) in it. While running, we feel and take notice of every part. We are in tune with our bodies. Without words we speak and they respond. Like a gentle friend, we ask them what they can do; we understand them; we encourage them; we build them up; and protect them. I take care of them and they take care of me. It is such a pleasure to know how they feel.

There is nothing bad about feeling this way. It is a good and positive activity for the soul. These feelings spill out over our lives. By feeling good about ourselves and our bodies, we are in the right frame of mind to feel good about and truly love others. In the same manner that we learn to take care of ourselves, we care for others. We learn to be more open and intimate with people in our lives. This love for self becomes love for others. It empowers and is empowering. It is good.

Hedonism is not the best word to describe the pleasure I feel. But then again without experiencing it firsthand, what sense is there in describing it anyway?