For just split seconds, I am floating, flying, feeling the space pass by. Then the flying ends, subtalar joint and plantar fascia absorbing the first impact of my landing. Gastrocnemius, soleus, and Achilles tendon maintain my stance, and along with my hamstring orchestrate takeoff. Then I am flying again, rectus femoris and iliopsoas swinging my leg forward.<\/p>\n
My feet beat the drum of the earth, sarcomeres lengthening and then shortening, orchestrating flight and breath and blood flow. They lengthen and shorten, again and again. Intercostals and diaphragm labor rhythmically, cycling through\u00a0hunger for air and fleeting\u00a0relief.<\/p>\n
As re-oxygenated blood returns to my left atrium, my attention returns to my thoughts.\u00a0At first they fought for an audience, demanding my attention as I focus instead on the world around me, but soon it’s just me and my thoughts, as the air streams across my face. My legs stay strong, but beg me to stop. As I finish my run, my thoughts are with me, but whispering politely instead of shouting for attention, willing to leave as quietly as they came.<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t the running, it\u2019s the calm, the quiet, the peace in the cacophony. It isn\u2019t the running, it\u2019s the brisk morning breeze, the bronze fall leaves, the stars between the stars in the night sky. It isn\u2019t the running, it\u2019s me passing through space – a shooting star in the night sky trying to shine bright in the milliseconds I have to add\u00a0a little light to the world. It isn\u2019t the running, it\u2019s the feeling of perfect harmony as the rhythm of my legs and arms and breath seems to match the rhythm of the world. It isn\u2019t the running, so it is the running.<\/p>\n
In the singularly focused chaos of medical school, running was just what I needed\u00a0to reconnect with nature and the city around me. Earlier in medical school, a friend had asked me if I ran, and I answered, \u201cNope!\u00a0Why would I run?\u00a0I only chase soccer balls and cookies\u201d. I am grateful that we are able to change, and I am now\u00a0able to see beauty where I could see none before.<\/p>\n