Run like Water

My toenail is still growing back from the last rock I tried to run through instead of over. I was 40 miles into the 50 mile race, and my synapses were misfiring. I forgot to run like water and paid the price as I flew superman style over the trail. Skinned hands and a throbbing toenail later, I realized it’s worth the effort to run like water. Flow, weave and take the path of least resistance.

A rolling boulder is in diametric opposition to flowing water. You’ve seen the boulders during trail runs and races. They charge from behind, pass you like there’s no tomorrow and then plow through the trail like it’s a lifelong enemy. Who wants to be that guy or girl?

How to run like water?

1.      Decide whose side you’re on—The trail is our friend along with all its cohorts. As soon as you start working against a friend you soon find an enemy. Don’t get mad when the trail is littered with roots and rocks, they are there to make the journey better.

2.      Notice the Nuances—As water flows it feels the organic material thoroughly. Every pebble, weed, and grain of said is reached by its tendrils. As you run what do you notice? Even though taking note of every aspect of the trail is impossible, sucking in our surroundings and not only air will aid and add to the run.

3.      Accept don’t resist—Whether trail or road, accepting the run in itself has benefits. If you start the run with resistance, chances are that you will end in the same manner. Why not start the run knowing you are going to put on the miles, or hours, adding velocity to the daily routine. Accept that this run will make you better.

4.      Keep flowing—On the run, we go up, under, over, around and in every other direction. We don’t rush through. Water is patient; it knows it will keep moving forward. When we are forced to slow down by fellow runners, trail conditions or our own bodies, we keep flowing, patiently knowing that each foot fall is progress.

How do you run like water?

Who is the perfect example of this style of running?