On Rhythm and The Road

 Many people would ask me why I am still so enthusiastic in running and jogging. Don't I get discouraged every time I lose? Don't I feel weak every time someone is ahead of me  in a running event? Don't I give up when I feel so tired already yet the finish line is still very far? Don't I feel so slow as compared to those who are experienced?

Well, in  a running event, most often, it's actually not important whether you're fast or not. Sometimes, what is  important is you go through the whole journey without compromising your health and body. By that means, you just have to go through your own pace. Personally, I don't care  if others are ahead of me because they're fast or if I cannot catch  up with the pace of my colleagues or friends. I don't mind if I'm left behind but I don't give up either. I continue running. I stop and breathe. I walk. I know my limitations. I know  my strength. At the end, I am able to finish the journey.

Recently, I read this  book "Like A  Flowing River". I  was struck  with one of the stories written in the book because it can explain my running experience. Now, to those who think they can't attend runs and marathons, please remember this wonderful note from Paulo Coehlo:

I've noticed that most pilgrims, whether on the Road to Santiago or on any of life's paths, always try to follow the rhythm set by others. At the start of my pilgrimage, I tried to keep up with my group, but I got tired.  I was demanding too much of my body. I  was tense all the time and ended up straining the tendons in my left foot. I couldn't walk for two days after that, and I realized that I would only reach Santiago if I obeyed my own rhythm. I took longer than the others to get there and for long stretches I often had to walk along; but it was only by respecting my own rhythm that I managed to complete the journey. Ever since then, I have applied this to everything I do in life: I follow my own rhythm.