Best Run Ever

Last night i was fortunate enough to enjoy the greatest run of my life. I did not set any personal best times, or cover an unbelievable amount of distance. It simply felt amazing. I returned on New Years day from Red Deer late, not setting off for my run until 7:30 pm. The air was crisp as I left the shelter of my front door and ventured onto our street, then turned right to reach my usual route towards Foote Field via 72nd ave. It was dark, the trails illuminated by the street lights, and that was enough to navigate my way into the trails near snow valley. My ipod touch was plugged into my head and the sounds of Caleb Followills eerie vocals penetrated my mind, dazing me slightly. I entered into the tree covered trails, illuminated only by a half moon through a cloudless sky. The snow underneath me was heavily packed but not icy. Indeed every foot step struck ground deliberately and did not hesitate in propelling me forward without a slip. My feet began to tingle and slowly lose their awkward thumping feeling. Soon my legs followed suit and i felt as though i was floating. This is a sensation i have not felt in over a year and dare i say a sensation that after my ankle injury i thought i may never again. My mind was sharp and focused on the task despite being wooed by the music in my head. My thoughts turned from dark and dramatic to nostalgic, thinking of times with Aimee, times with my brother and time spent alone. Every song had a different meaning and each song that played seemed to have been chosen for a reason. What started as a run to run away from the demons in my head, the ones i fight with so often, turned into a run down of the last year of my life. From darkness to light, from fear to hope, i left the past behind as i exited the trails near Hawrelak Park and turned onto the Groat Road bridge.

As I ran across the river i felt at peace, this city is a home to me a place i love and cherish and at times it has been my best friend and my worst enemy. Tonight it was my friend, offering it's snowy trails and frigid bridges up to me to strike with my legs, and it's air to cut with the exhales of my breath. It's lights were on full display as i ran through the legislature and felt a hint of regret at things that i had not done when i had the chance. This is where i saw another soul for the first time in over ninety minutes. I was beginning to think that i had fallen into some sort of dream state, and that description would not be far off. To say that i was transcending myself and my body would not be enough, i was certainly transcending the menial task of which i had partaken. But that is what i love about sport, in a simple act we can transcend the very activity that allows us to enter into a new state of being. I wonder how many people actually get to feel like this. My thought is not very many. I turned again onto the high level bridge, taking in the view of the university, of the Kinsmen Sports Centre i had to smile. As i ran down 109 street i actually felt so good that i realized i was running close to 3:00 per km pace and let myself slow down. It had felt so natural, and i hadn't realized how much faster i had started running, or had i been running this way most of the night?

When i finally reached my house one hour and fifty minutes after departing, i stood outside for a moment and said my thanks to whatever is out there for allowing me the chance to experience this moment. And after looking a tad crazy for pointing to the sky, i entered the relative safety of home again.

Love,

Shack