i'm in my running world head right now, and i'm thinking about the difference between inspiration and motivation. when i think about all my running ladies, i am inspired. planning a tuesday morning run with the janes inspires me to get up before the sun and get excited for the chance to participate in lively conversations. running along the coast of new zealand, past a whale burial with a new friend is inspiring. getting up on a lazy saturday with a girlfriend who is in town and taking our time along the waterfront for a long run is divine. on all of these runs, i'm not thinking about running in the same way. we're inspiring each other to stretch our limbs in the wind and rain, sun and shade. we're talking about the work we do, the relationships we have, the funny things that happen at the doctor's office; we're sharing the things that are important to us.
it feels very different from my solo runs, which often require motivation. when i have to run by myself, sometimes i need extra motivation. i'll try to talk myself out of running. "oh, it's too cold today. i'd rather just drink coffee and clean the house. i can go tomorrow. . ." very strange. because once i get out there i still enjoy it, and i often think of these runs as way to make sure i'm still in shape enough to keep up with the ladies: my lifelines, my inspiration.
3 comments:
More running as writing as running as inspiration! Hooray!
Any time we do anything with friends can be extra inspiring and motivational!
What a nice post!
Hmmm, I'm in need of some motivation I guess. I don't find the treadmill in the bunker very inspiring and with no company it takes more motivation than I could find last night. Tomorrow is a new day though and I'll try to use you, and the memory of that run along Wainui Bay bast the Whale cemetary, as my inspiration.
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