To brutal harsh reality. It's a bitch. Why can't we have silent days at work? Or exclusively use IM? I mean, it's worth a try, people.
Yes, my weekend was wonderful. It is ... hard to sum up. I did no running at the monastery this year but lots of walking up and down some pretty steep hills. I walked outside by myself at night, and wondered "Why don't I ever do this at home?" "Because," I said, "you'd get run over or mugged in the cement suburban jungle of Bethesda." But in West Park, New York, there's just the Hudson River and the woods. (Oh, and Norman Bates' old motel across the street.)
But the woods are a lovely safe place. (Except for the occasional bear mauling. You know.)
Tonight, speaking of not running, I ran five miles, and it got dark about halfway through. And then I did something totally insane.
I took off my headphones.
I was alone with my thoughts.
I listened to the sounds of the trail and the woods at night.
I felt what my body was feeling.
I felt what running feels like.
No, it didn't feel great.
But I was there to feel it.
It's an experiment worth repeating.
14 comments:
You should so run w/o headphones. It's back to nature, just you and yourself running. If God intended for you to run with headphones, she (gasp!) would've made woman with ... :)
No headphones? In the dark?
Heck, I wouldn't run any other way! Even in the light! Not near DC, at any rate!!
i usually run without headphones but have recently been hanging out with a new iPod nano. I do love the music and it totally keeps me going but the other day we left the music at home and it was so awesome to be back there listening to just my feet hitting the pavement.
Funny how one can feel totally safe near Norman Bates' motel. I think I might have freaked out just a tiny wincy little but.
bit. Bit. BIT. Not but. bit.
I have always run without - I run early in the morning when it is dark so that is one reason. But I love being in touch with the sights and sounds - saying hello to the newspaper delivery folks, or the rare walker or runner who may be out that early.
Recently I did get an iPod and Ilove it on those long runs on the weekends and rarely on days when I need a little extra something...
But there is nothing like the sound of feet on ground....
you people are all crazy.
i always run with headphones. i don't like to hear how hard i'm working when i run.
nuts. you're all nuts! jeanne, put those headphones back on woman!!
;)
I'm trying to run MP3-free these days. It's always an adjustment!
There is nothing better than running without music, alone with your thoughts... expecially at dusk or in the dark - the solitude is calming.
Sometimes believe it or not, when my Ipod runs out of juice, I don't mind just hearing my own breathing and letting my mind get in tune with my bod.
It's always a refreshing experience!
Yeah now. Listen to the world. Listen to your body. Stay in touch. Turn down the artificial.
Whoa! Running in the woods in the dark. That is so brave! I like listening to the wind in my ears (because I'm so FAST! - ha!) and my footfalls but running in the dark in the woods? - that's brave.
I know of no better feeling then running in the woods at night.
I love running with no headphones. Just me, the sounds of my footfalls on the trail, and, sometimes, sigh, traffic.
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