i miss...

running.

i've been off running for a while now because i have this incredibly stubborn case of plantar fasciitis in my right foot. it flared before i fractured my foot last september, and the condition fluctuates daily. sometimes, with just normal use i'll feel pain at the end of the day.

during a staff meeting today, we talked about what brings us joy. the first thing that came to mind was how i feel immediately after a long trail run (the ones that last between 2-4 hours). the culmination of being fully engaged in mind, body, heart, engulfed in nature, staying utterly present, challenging myself, exhausting everything i have, and "finishing," results in this electrifying experience of joy. it doesn't have to be running, but do you know what i mean??

last week, i even dreamt that i was given this task to run. i had to run laps around the tiniest loop like a mad lady running around in circles in someone's house (that's actually what i did in the dream.) it was mindless, easy, and boring, but i was so freaking happy because i got to run. in my dream, my body was without injury. i hope that one day soon i can run like i ran in my dream, in the presence of exquisite mountain landscapes.

i miss running.