CREATIVE ALTERATIONS

It is impossible for us to wake up and not begin to think creatively… we have actually been designed FOR constant creativity and improvement.  Distance running is an active expression of this creativity.  A brief look at the history of humanity and it is clearly seen… CREATIVITY --without dispute.  How many uncountable and untold ways we have altered and improved! 

The only interference, and sadly sometimes bringing a worsening human condition, follows when a person chooses; through time and redundancy; to draw up unnaturally.  They have then chosen to stop with their own inspiration, dreams and vision.  They have ceased from their own ideas and subsequently have no physical expression which carries creative and unique fruit.  How unnatural it is to live after another man’s vision!  How natural it is to daily seek creative alterations to our own lives!  The avid distance runner is usually doing something of the sort!    

When a runner heads out the door thinking about their own passions; not just for running, yet for life all-together; they have numerous possibilities for creative alterations.  Their life there opens clearly to the spirit, mind and body.  Each effort in distance running is an open invitation to a creative alteration of any man or woman.  When efforts are approached with the conviction that the expression will be as it always is, or that one might do it as they have always done it, there is no growth or life.  Without creative alterations expected in the efforts we make, growth is severely limited if not stopped all together.

So, what does the lure of creative alteration provide for the distance runner?  Proceeding forward, we all move into our efforts… all efforts respectively different from one another.  They are all, however, abundant, demanding and requiring immediate and strong creative choice repeatedly.  Our creative choice in every efforts moment will not necessarily be as it has been before, but always subtly differing.  Sure, some efforts in running will seem so similar, yet they are never about pin-pointing and defining the experience… yet about the beauty of the effort itself.  A creative alteration has inevitably taken place!

THE FOUNDATIONS

Distance running maturity is established on a foundation.  The following words have played a great part in the strength and foundation of holistic distance running…

We should always be ready to change our heart and our mind with respects to the things in our running which just do not work.  If certain aspects are not bearing fruit with the efforts we are investing, and possibly even hurting our desire, then we should have the constitution to turn from them… to change.

Without faith in our distance running, devotion and consistency cannot happen.  That is, without a regular, confident expectation of goodness and gain, the efforts we make will soon be lost to trial, negativity and complacency.  FAITH!

To take up a new running lifestyle, there needs to be a burial; a death if you will; of the “lifestyle” we once had.  From unproductive to productive; from inactive to active; and from unfruitful to fruitful.  There should be a clear division between the two lifestyles so that we can indeed move forward!

It might seem commonplace, yet as distance runners we should have a regular practice of placing our efforts into action.  Every “effort” is a sacred offering to be accepted and learned from.  We need resolve in putting our full strength into each day’s opportunity.

We should expect regular restoration of our “person”.  It should be common to have the experience of complete restoration in the running effort… that we should feel the clearing of our spirit, mind and body tangibly.  We should experience the repeated restoration of all parts we contribute into the whole expression of us… running should be a spiritual experience. 

Finally, we need to concede to our “design” as human beings.  That we are fragile, yet resilient.  That we respond predictably, yet require intelligent direction.  And that natural mobility calls every one of us.             

The Instant Runner

I do not think one can simply desire to be spontaneous in life. Spontaneity comes through and to the inspired life. For many years up to this date I have believed that the greatest aspect of a distance runner’s strength is inspiration...

The demands of running; serious distance running; requires a passionate pursuit. Passion does not flow through the uninspired. We have so many incredible examples of passion which has gone before us!  Even the evil and cruel, through the ages, have been inspired to be so passionately. It is ONLY the inspired who are passionate. Good or bad it takes inspiration to live passionately.  The "will' to BE inspired is a different thing. 

Therefore if there is any desire to run distances within you, this "desire" should be fed daily with contemplations of things that inspire the runner! Our system of thought should embrace this desire.  The 'instant distance runner' is always instantly inspired to run... to take to the roads and trails and cover miles! There is some part of their inner constitution which needs motion. They have been inspired of their very nature.  Their will is secure.   

Before or in between running seasons this runner is calculated and ready for any good or open door. The runner is inspired in an instant to move out and cover miles. The instant runner does not wait for perfect feelings or conditions. They operate above and beyond the normal ideals of modern man. The matter of running to the instant runner is an expression of their life force. For this they are instantly ready... NOW!

The only acception is when in recovery!  And we must NEEDS recover!  When the tab has been paid, and the runners lot has been cast, then the instant runner waits again... waits into renewal and new life to return.  Renewal is a beautiful thing!  Cheers always, HD Runners!