“When I'm running I don't have to talk to anybody and don't have to listen to anybody. This is a part of my day I can't do without.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Yes. What he said ☝️.
I think I used to be addicted to smoking cigarettes. I could go days without having one. But if I bought a pack, I would burn through it pretty quickly. I spent most of my teenage years smoking. On and off. No big deal really.
Smoking cigarettes with friends. Listening to music. Holding up a lighter to a friends cigarette to help with fire. The ritual. I also really liked driving around at night, alone, windows down, radio up, blasting a camel 🐪.. Ahhh.
No regrets! 🛑
I no longer smoke cigarettes. Maybe one or two a year — just to remind the old lungs what they don’t like. I don’t remember it being particularly hard to stop. I’m lucky. But sometimes I do find myself missing that feeing — whatever that feeling was. Usually when I see someone young and hot in a movie artfully dragging.
We all have our vices. Some public. Some private. I have since substituted the devils juice (nicotine) —and that addiction — for something a bit better for my lungs, equally addicting and considerably detrimental to my older man knees — Running.
*Awkward transition, I know. You try writing something every week! I say this with the utmost peace and love.
I fell in love with running ten or so years ago. Running was always a chore, until it wasn’t. I started off slow. But eventually started pushing the distances out. I was never one for speed, but that’s cool. I can run pretty far!
The first few years were tough. I got bored. My body hurt. But over time I got hooked on the ritual. I got locked into the buzz. My name is Dan and I am addicted to running.
Now, it may not be your bag baby but for someone looking to fill a void - whatever that may be - running works.
If you ever want to clear your noggin. Boost your endorphins. Or just get out of the house. Maybe give it a try. Here are the books that helped me shift my perception of running.
Running & Being: The Total Experience by Dr. George Sheehan
A New York Times bestseller for 14 weeks in 1978, Running & Being became known as the philosophical bible for runners around the world.
The Tao of Running by Gary Dudney: The Journey to Your Inner Balance
This one double clicks on the concept of running as an act of mindfulness. Highly recommended for the zen-heads out there.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir by Haruki Murakami
The greatest thing ever written about running. Period.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Pretty crunchy. This one essentially started the barefoot running movement. I am not insane so I have never tried that. BTR is a history of the Tarahumara Indians and why they are the worlds greatest distance runners.
Wake up at 6AM. Put on your sneaks. Throw your phone in the trash. Run around your neighborhood for twenty minutes. If you don’t like the way you feel after. I will fully refund your subscription to Weekend Guide.
I hope you enjoy your weekend. Let me know how you are doing. If you like these weekly dispatches — please share with your oldest and closest friend.
Great inspiration