The Running Gods...

We are blessed.

I used to think the running gods visited as people, as runners like you and me.


More accurately, that they anthrpomorphised as Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Seb Coe, Mary Decker, Grete Waitze, Said Aouita, Steve Smith, Rob de Castella, and others. In other words, when it suited them, the running gods would take human form, and race. And run...oh so smoothly, and oh so fast.

Anthropomorphosis.  Ann-thro-po-morf-oh-sis...'tis a big word. And, long.

It means transforming into human form.

As one who leans more towards evolutionism than intelligent design, I now know better. 

As smooth, sleek and speedy elite runners are, they are not the running gods. Sure, although the, errr, 'parental interaction' that gave their genetic predisposition and 'will' to run may have been blessed by the running gods, these speedsters still needed to demonstrate the choice, courage and determination, and do the miles and repetitions, and suffer the aches and pains like the rest of us. No, great and good runners are not the running gods.

The running gods are our own. They sit in judgement and challenge our resolve, our commitment, our courage, and persistence, and consistency, our 'smarts' or 'common sense', and our application to achieving our self-confessed and self-imposed goals. They tick or check the columns that matter beside our names.

These running gods come in all shapes, sizes and forms: as injury, as fatigue, as the elements (heat, cold, wind, rain, hail, snow), as ill-health, as motivation loss, as temptation, as procrastination, as 'the battle', as the 'little voice', as the red-line, as 'the wall', as hills, as life and lifestyle, as family, as work or study, as the choices we make in humility, adversity and grace. And pace. 

These running gods want to know if we are worthy: worthy of the lofty goals we set ourselves;  worthy of the distances and times, and joy and pride of those who have run millenia before us; worthy of the true medals and podiums...self-fulfillment and achievement.

The running gods bless us with choice: the choice to run, the choice by which you and me become better people and runners.

Running can transform.

And, bless that.