Encounters

Today I worked with a group of students considering the notion of encounter. We thought primarily about early encounters of Europeans with Africans and people of the Americas. We mused over the possibilities of gods, savages, delight and terror. I couldn't help but to reflect on the many encounters I've experienced here and there over the years, especially when running off the beaten path. 

Thinking of gods, I'm so very grateful that we have been able to travel to places so I could run in sites sacred to me. I've been fortunate to jog in areas sacred to others past and present. A few people have yelled ugly things as they drove past me on the road. For the most part, the only savages I have encountered have been a few dogs. Thankfully, in every case I kept moving unharmed.

Delight. Ah, here is the real joy of being a runner. To me the run itself is a delight, still there have been landscapes, events and personal records that were absolutely delightful. Terror? I've had a handful of injuries related to running. The terror it strikes in me is the fear that somehow I will not be able to run again. I felt that when a podiatrist told me that Plantar Fasciitis would bring an end to my running (that was nearly 10 years ago). The worst moment I remember is when I was training for a half marathon. The race was two weeks away and I was in the best condition ever. One afternoon, while one a five mile easy run I stepped into a hole on the street and severely twisted my ankle. The pain was immense.  I was a mile able from work. I hobbled back in terror that I would not only miss the race, but that I had seriously damaged my ankle and would have stop running and possibly have to end The Streak. My panic was more than needed. I gave the ankle plenty of ice and extra attention. As scheduled, I ran a very good half marathon.

I’m grateful to have encountered a great deal more of the divine and delight that savages and terror.

Live is a grand encounter. Enjoy it. Run!

Tom