Discover running
The decision to become a runner comes from many places in life; a young person’s desire to compete, a midlife desire to find fitness,
a friend’s encouragement, and on and on.
However once we become a runner, we discover some of the same attributes. First, we find our body’s response changes from struggle to freedom. Our body’s systems become more efficient and we become fit.
As our bodies change, we begin to find the happiness in running, a joy that comes from a place where we have overcome discomfort and moved into a new ease of movement. The joy of running does not come everyday but often enough to give us the motivation of constant pursuit.
The happiness of running then leads to new awareness of ourselves, and we find the spirit of running takes us inward. Touching the part of us that only comes through consistent discipline and the full engagement of ourselves in each single moment, we are whole.
Beyond the body’s fitness, the mind’s joy, and the spirit’s awakening is the quest for challenge. For many of us that leads us to a first 5K, the half-marathon, marathon, ultra marathon, triathlon, or multi-sport adventure racing. The acknowledgement, the commitment, the pursuit and the accomplishment of the challenge take us to a place that our modern life does not offer. It may be only once that we give our full attention to these mountains, or it may become a part of each year’s goals. In every case meeting a challenge that is beyond your normal capacity enriches a life forever.
Enjoy the challenge that you are pursuing!
Keep Moving,
Chris
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Seduced
Seduced
It is so easy to be seduced by entertainment and information that flood into our lives. The ease of access to entertainment and information though readily available low cost technology and its marketing capitalization lure us to become addicts. As our time within a day/week/month is spent not just in front of a TV, but reading blogs, on Face-book, sending e-mails, watching You-tube, listening to pundits or being spectators to events, we are stimulated into an inactive paralysis. The stimulation is exciting and can create deep emotional and mental responses. However, it demands little or no participation of our body.
We must use the body as a means to free our minds and engage our spirits. We are a spirit experiencing this earth in a physical being and must utilize physical movement and challenges as stimulus for aliveness. That does not mean that the most physically strong or fit are the most successful, or that a rich life exists only through the physical, it is meant as an awareness of the value of physical in each of us. As Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike and coach of University of Oregon, is quoted “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”. We are all athletes and all need physicality to enhance the magic and glory of life.
It is so easy to be seduced by entertainment and information that flood into our lives. The ease of access to entertainment and information though readily available low cost technology and its marketing capitalization lure us to become addicts. As our time within a day/week/month is spent not just in front of a TV, but reading blogs, on Face-book, sending e-mails, watching You-tube, listening to pundits or being spectators to events, we are stimulated into an inactive paralysis. The stimulation is exciting and can create deep emotional and mental responses. However, it demands little or no participation of our body.
We must use the body as a means to free our minds and engage our spirits. We are a spirit experiencing this earth in a physical being and must utilize physical movement and challenges as stimulus for aliveness. That does not mean that the most physically strong or fit are the most successful, or that a rich life exists only through the physical, it is meant as an awareness of the value of physical in each of us. As Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike and coach of University of Oregon, is quoted “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”. We are all athletes and all need physicality to enhance the magic and glory of life.
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009 John Daley One One Run
2009 John Daley One One Run
New Year’s Day at Spring Valley Park on the east side of Kalamazoo was a day to run, walk, smile, laugh, high five, hug and shiver a bit too. A herd of people (and pets) braved the cold wind but warmed their hearts with friends – old and new. At One o’clock, the participants started to run/walk, and moved in a steady stream around the park finding that movement is a great cure for cold, and a fun way to share memories and build friendships.
We at Gazelle Sports have had the privileged to host the One One Run, and reconnect with people who we love (or at least like a lot) and bring the New Year in with the energy of happiness, celebration, friendship, family, and movement.
We understand that some of the most important aspects of our lives are what make the One One special and important – building positive relationships, supporting a great local organization, and being healthy.
In a moment in history, when we can be anxious about issues we don’t often control, it is good to find a way to connect with the spirit of movement and health and friendship and fun. That is the spirit of John Daley and the One One Run.
I want thank all who joined us and those who were there in spirit.
And thank all our sponsors, City of Kalamazoo, Gazelle Sports staff, volunteers, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo for their support.
And thank the incredible effort of our event committee, Greta Faworski, Rob Lillie, Alycia Vince, Dottie Sullivan, and Cassie Hunter.
Happy New Year – may 2009 be full of the spirit of the One One Run in your life.
Keep Moving,
Chris
New Year’s Day at Spring Valley Park on the east side of Kalamazoo was a day to run, walk, smile, laugh, high five, hug and shiver a bit too. A herd of people (and pets) braved the cold wind but warmed their hearts with friends – old and new. At One o’clock, the participants started to run/walk, and moved in a steady stream around the park finding that movement is a great cure for cold, and a fun way to share memories and build friendships.
We at Gazelle Sports have had the privileged to host the One One Run, and reconnect with people who we love (or at least like a lot) and bring the New Year in with the energy of happiness, celebration, friendship, family, and movement.
We understand that some of the most important aspects of our lives are what make the One One special and important – building positive relationships, supporting a great local organization, and being healthy.
In a moment in history, when we can be anxious about issues we don’t often control, it is good to find a way to connect with the spirit of movement and health and friendship and fun. That is the spirit of John Daley and the One One Run.
I want thank all who joined us and those who were there in spirit.
And thank all our sponsors, City of Kalamazoo, Gazelle Sports staff, volunteers, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo for their support.
And thank the incredible effort of our event committee, Greta Faworski, Rob Lillie, Alycia Vince, Dottie Sullivan, and Cassie Hunter.
Happy New Year – may 2009 be full of the spirit of the One One Run in your life.
Keep Moving,
Chris
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