It has been said that runners have their best thoughts of the day while out running. Runner and writer
Michael Selman shares his
"Thoughts on Running" with us here at ontherunevents.com.
Once, I read a Woody Allen quote that said, "I am at two with
nature." I'm not sure where I read that, but my hunch is it was in
one of my many John Jerome runner's logs, because I don't do a whole lot
of other reading. But that quote, much like almost everything else about
Woody Allen, I never really understood.
For the last month or so, my own take on it has been that "I am at
none with nature," But I think I can explain what I mean when I say
it. I came to that realization early this morning, when I stepped out the
door for my run.
For nine months of the Atlanta year, I look forward to virtually every
run with eager anticipation, and I'm ready to meet nature's challenges. In
reality, spring and autumn practically beg you to run in them, and pose
virtually no opposition at all. They are mostly perfect for running, at
just about any time of day or night. And the scenery is gorgeous. Whether
it is the lightly scented and heavily colorful new blooms of spring, or
the outstanding fiery foliage of autumn, I find myself at one with nature.
Winter can pose a slightly more objectionable obstacle for some, but I
personally enjoy charging into the teeth of a biting wind, and I always
make a point of jumping into the midst of a rare falling snow. I'd rather
be out running when it's 20 degrees than 50 degrees, so even on weekends,
I'm most often out running before the first hints o daylight. It's me
against the elements, and I'm always ready for the battle, and the
victory. In the back of my winter mind, I am always reminding myself that
there are many parts of the country where they would scoff at our thin
skin anyway.
But then there are those three saddest of all possible words for
runners like me. Those words are June, July and August. The temperature
rises in tandem with inflated race times, and just the thought of running
much more than four miles at a stretch exhausts me. Even at 5 in the
morning, there is often nary a hint of coolness in the soggy morning air,
and the humidity is often close to 100%. There is nothing desirable under
the sun, or the moon during the dog days of summer. The same stars that
shone so brightly in the crisp winter skies are hardly noticeable now and
spring's bright colors have given way to a monochrome and mundane green.
And sadly, I have not been at one with nature. I have been at none with
it.
But this morning was different. When I opened the door to go out in the
darkness, I was greeted with a surprisingly dry cool breeze, which hinted
more of September than July, and when I looked up, I saw a bright sliver
of moon flanked by two fading stars and one bright planet. It felt like I
was in another time and place. The time would be autumn, and the place
would be back at one with nature. And suddenly, I was thrilled by my
surroundings, and I really felt like running. It was the first time I have
felt that way in a long while.
And maybe tomorrow, if it's another clear cool and dry morning, I will
finally understand what Woody Allen was talking about when he said,
"I am at two with nature."
The Roads Scholar, Michael Selman runs and writes in Atlanta GA. He
would love to hear from you. Please e-mail him at TheRoadsScholar@aol.com
with any questions or comments.
?
email this page to a friend ! 
