Running and Reading and Writing

Osakajo-kouen, one week before 2014 Osaka Marathon.
I did my 16-km long run this morning. The last time I did it was back in late September, I think, two weeks before SCKLM 2014. My breathing, while no longer haggard, still felt constricted. But I soldiered on; I knew that if I postponed this particular distance (revised the distance to 12 km last week), it would be akin to opening the gate for other excuses (not to run).

My main aim for today was simple. Just distance. That is the basis of running - distance, distance, distance. Even short and middle distance runners (5k, 10k) also incorporated long runs into their training regime; who says it is exclusively for half marathoners and above? There is something about distance that makes a runner stronger - it is the time when runners train their muscles to endure the physical hardship of the task at hand, it is the time when runners train their mind to battle negative thoughts and break the wall, it is also the time for runners to dig deep inside and learn to trust their hearts. 

The results will speak for themselves. Chances are that runner who walked not even 2 km into his/her race did not log a lot of miles prior. Having a good grip at the basis of something will see you soar. Okay, let revised that down to racing strong and finishing strong. As with other essential basic things, distance is something that luxuries cannot buy. Not that expensive compression tights, rolls and rolls of kinesiology tapes, fancy running skirts, etc. Have you seen those runners on podiums (not that we run to win top prizes)? They just wear running vest and shorts (but yes, they don't have much fats like us mortals)!

With that said, running is not unlike writing.
 A good, strong piece of writing also has its own basis. It is reading, reading, reading.

However, just like there are quality miles and junk miles in running, there are also quality reading and junk reading. Runners learned over time what works and what doesn't in enhancing their running performances, and readers/writers should be able to do the same. Staying dormant at lower-quality of reading spectrum is not dissimilar to limiting their potential to be better readers/writers. They need to search and find the light of the sun, for thereafter they will never be able to sit contentedly under the not-so-bright lamp anymore.