Running is:
the action of movement at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.
Running, as with most repetition sports, is a sculpture of body and mind. Made by steadily chipping away all the pieces that do not make up the stride. Powerful and uninhibited, what is left tackles mountains, roads, and time barriers alike. People often think they must train harder or change their diet or find better music to increase their performance. The endless list of things to make a better runner distracts even the most dedicated runners. People ask what to do for training and the answer is simple. Focus on each step.
Training is an important part for competitors, but training is the last step to increasing performance. To become a better runner, start with a step. Followed by another that was better than the last. Followed by another that took less energy. Followed by another that provided better stability. Followed by another with a smooth transition. You see, running is about steps. Not leaps and bounds. It takes tuning each step to perfection in order to take a better step the next time.
The thing about perfection, is that it comes with time constraints. You only have that fraction of a second to use the knowledge you have to produce the best step you possibly can for the surroundings. You know, putting your best foot forward. As each step passes, cataloguing the successes and failures of your creation before gearing up for your next step with your new found knowledge. This is the allure of running. The distance, the time, the places; these are all the goals we often get lost in. Don?t get me wrong, they are what motivate us, but they are built from a foundation.
There is saying among dancers that beginning dancers focus on intermediate steps. intermediate dancers focus on advanced steps. Advanced dancers focus on champion steps. And champion dancers focus on beginning steps. The steps of dance are the foundation of movement just as in running, and movement is everything. Whether you are just starting, or have been running all your life, there are always improvements to be made to your form whether it is impact, stretch, dynamic, arm swing, breathing or any of the many other components.
Running is a pure connection of focus, the draw of simple body and mind connection. It doesn?t require gear, shoes, or even clothes for that matter. All that it requires is focus and a goal, which, in essence is mostly all we need to tackle life?s challenges. Focusing on one foot at a time, you will reveal a body sculpted for running beyond your imagination.