RUNNING SURPRISES

BY JACK GRAY

Most likely it was not by accident that you started running. Rather it was the result of a conscious decision. You were searching for something that you wanted to receive from it. From some source you had heard of it’s benefits. This may have involved health issues, the desire to lose weight or becoming ashamed of a past lifestyle. It may have been the love of competition or the desire for companionship. In any case you were looking for something; and you found it through running. The list of blessings can be both long and valid; but in addition there can be some wonderful surprises. Let me share with you three of mine.

1. MEETING SOME DELIGHTFUL DOCTORS: I grew up at a time and in a culture where you didn’t go to a doctor unless it was really bad. You used some home remedies instead. The nearest Emergency Room was in a distant place; and we didn’t even know what a Specialist was. That kind of background can color your thinking for years to come.

After becoming a runner my impression was that the very first thing a doctor would tell you to do for any injury was to quit running. Yet the very reason for my going was for someone to tell me how I could get back to running as quickly as possible. Admittedly my impression of doctors dealing with runners was not good. Yet it was borne out both by my limited experience as well as by the runners I knew. Through the years, I have met some wonderful doctors that I respected greatly; but they were always doctoring other and dealing with non-running issues. So my prejudice naturally continued.

Then a few months ago I began to have a real problem; and started to look for someone to diagnose and treat it. Almost immediately I was utterly surprised! I found a Primary, a Lung Specialist and a Cardiologist who were completely runner-friendly. They were sincerely interested in getting me running again. Even when a technician or nurse was warning me almost every day not to do anything other than using a remote until all the testing was done, the doctors were quietly saying “if you feel like running, then run”. Some of my efforts were pathetic, as they probably knew they would be; but what a joy it was to find someone who understood. At every appointment we talked something about running and they continued to assure me that whatever it took they were going to get my heart back in rhythm and that I would be able to run again in a competitive way.

Of Course some of that remains to be seen; but this is not about my ailments. It is about some exceptional doctors that I was privileged to meet. That was a delightful surprise.

2. REMARKABLE FRIENDS: Even when I began running I wanted to be with a group. I wanted to share my experience with others; but I had no real idea of how life-changing it would be. I expected to make new friends; but I did not anticipate how close and personal they would become. I certainly did not know it would happen in such a short span of time.

It is a little like I have heard of soldiers in war, where because of sharing danger and hardship they become bonded for life. Sometimes 20 or 30 years later they would go to great lengths and expense to see one another or visit their special battlefield together. I have found that the shared experiences of running are somewhat like that. When you have shared the struggles, injuries and special joys of running with someone, it creates a unique bond that goes on and on. These are not things which you will easily forget.

So suddenly I have running friends who are closer to me than family. From whom I could ask, almost anything; and for whom I would do the same in return. It thrills my heart just to contemplate. I must say it has come as a complete surprise.

3. THE BEAUTY OF THE MORNING: I have always been an early riser. I liked to be at work long before others when everything was quiet. Yet in the rush to do that I seldom saw a sunrise. It was always delightful to be at a beach for sunrise or sunset; but we see so few of either in a big city, where houses are close and buildings are tall. Yet running has changed that. Whether running early in a park or driving to a distant race, I have seen the sunrise more than in half a lifetime. There is also something special especially invigorating about being out at the break of day. You will seldom feel more alive or more joy in being alive. You can’t keep from being surprised at the beautiful colors of early morning. SO rejoice in the expected things from your running. Fill your cup with it’s blessing; but don’t fail to observe the wonderful surprises as well.