Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Simplicity

So, I was complaining to Triboomer yesterday on the instant messenger about missing multisport training while I am sorting out my neck owie. All I can do is run. I guess I should not be surprised, but my complaints often come back to bite me and teach me something.
This morning was another run. But it was perfect. Simple and perfect. One friend, one me, two runners, and perfect company. No heartrate monitor. I even forgot to start my stopwatch. Ten miles from Memorial Park through River Oaks and back.
Ten miles of perfect calm and darkness.
Ten miles of running as fast or as easy as the moment required.
Ten miles of conversation.
Ten miles of listening.
Ten miles of being listened to.
Ten miles of just plain fun.
Ten miles in which there was nothing else that I would rather be doing. That is a rare gift to receive from a friend, and hopefully to have given a friend in return.
Nothing complicated. Nothing fancy. Just ten simple miles.
"How simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched brazier, the sound of the sea . . . " I would add, a morning run with a friend. "All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart."
Nikos Kazantkzakis, Zorba the Greek, ch. 7 (1946).

3 comments:

Habeela said...

Yes, happiness is simple and a run makes you happy, a bike makes me happy, but for us triathletes, having to neglect one or more of our three sports tests how happy we really are. Since you can run but can't bike and I'm the exact opposite right now, I'll trade you a bike ride for a run. :)

How long does the doc think it will take to work out your neck owie?

21st Century Mom said...

So sorry your neck is still on the fritz - I hope it gets better soon.

Isn't there something about a loaf of bread and a glass of wine... oh wait. Wrong recreational activity. Nice run!

Iron Pol said...

And then we start to think about those who, for whatever reason, can't.

Every time I start to get down about something, I'll run across something that shows just how good I do have it.

The one legged cyclist about whom Flatman posted. Meeting Sara Reinertsen or Rudy Garcia.

Glad to hear the neck thing is at least letting you run.