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THE ROAD TAKEN
Enveloped in the sheen of poison colored nylon, the tweedy British look of heather gray sweats or any plumage between spandex and cotton, they speckle the periphery. Runners and joggers, alone, in pairs or mini-swarms make their way over sidewalks, park paths and road shoulders. They glide, stomp, shuffle, bound, chug, fly and waddle. Iridescent safety stripes on shoes, pants and jackets have them glowing at night so they're visible; wraparound sunglasses and long billed caps on bright days render them nearly unrecognizable.
Running is one of our first acts of independence, defiance and freedom. Genetically encoded by the prehistoric biological need to chase down food, or avoid becoming someone else's, is the instinct to run. Children respond to this impulse when sparked by joy, aggression or fright. Becoming a runner reclaims or maintains some of this spontaneity and juvenile mobility. Nevertheless, some basic things don't change... it's fun, it's exhausting, energizing, and if you're not careful, you'll fall or hurt yourself. Additional predators, besides gravity, are severe weather and careless drivers. These elements considered, the benefits are far reaching.
When you run, there is no middle man, no auxiliary device, nothing besides your own decision and opportunity to take charge of yourself, be outdoors, and have your mind go where it will.
Lurking around the bend for all children, however, is the Bigfoot shadow whose specter trips their momentum. Sooner or later, "going out to play" is no longer a regular option. Going out to run can be. It's a lateral move, more introspective and solitary. For people who have had the background and conditioning throughout their lives, it can be a fluid and broadening transition.
Many who run solo enjoy the anonymity. Apparent ethnic backgrounds blur, age defers to ability, "looking good" refers to form, and socio-economic status is not status with meaning in this arena. On the road, the common denominators are mileage, pace, goals and discomfort tolerance.
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