Some days I just need to go slow,

letting the run come to me, I settle into flow.

Breathe gently,

Listen intently.

I absorb the training, which permits me to grow.

The morning routine starts with tea,

The caffeine hits, making me antsy.

I ponder what follows,

my time in the cosmos.

I’ll run the trails and we shall see.

I love putting in the work.

Each day, I am my own clerk.

Results matter,

But,they don’t matter.

Running is my form of artwork.

Time…our most precious commodity,

I run against it; such an oddity.

I can’t get it back,

it will always lack.

Time…don’t treat it with frivolity.

It is the destroyer of dreams,

this self-doubt is always there it seems…

But it will be there,

it means that you care.

Let it go…experience your extremes.

What is it about the trails?

Perhaps, they uncover my veils.

Running through nature,

it is my savior.

I guess I’ll go there if all else fails.

He’s always checking in with me,

running smoothly along with such glee.

His happy prance,

a playful dance.

Zen,my boy, you show me how to run free.

I trust the process will be worth it,

even on tough days, I must commit.

All of my exertion,

Set off by self-coercion.

Truly, it all comes down to grit.

Will you rise to the occasion?

Or will you attempt an evasion?

Figure it out,

Regardless of doubt.

To surrender, there is no persuasion.

Impermanence invades my psyche,

this subject I don’t take lightly.

Be a good human,

try to illumine.

Life is beautiful if lived rightly.

My connection to nature is divine,

it always seems to keep me in line.

I am a part of it,

Denied it, I’ll go apeshit.

Nature assures me all will be just fine.

I let her set the pace most days,

she has to shake off her morning haze.

Her graceful jog,

this perfect dog.

River, you make the best trailblaze.

Some mornings I simply crave silence,

quiet runs now a reliance.

No more music,

no more news in.

With nature, I’m in compliance.

I fear I won’t reach my potential,

making every run feel essential.

Sometimes it gets hard,

leaving me feeling scarred.

Each run; never inconsequential.

Gentle rhythm is this morning’s pace,

leaving behind no visible trace.

Fall is among the trees,

putting my mind at ease.

The run leads me to my happy place.