There’s fewer hummingbirds in the morning now that it’s getting colder. The bears have moved on to prepare for winter, littering the forest with broken berry bushes and cherry trees. The aspen leaves that shrouded the trails around the Safety Third Compound now provide a slippery, wet, carpet on my morning run. Things are changing fast in the High Country, as the sun appears from different aspects of the surrounding mountains each morning.
What started as a walk in the woods turned into a hike and when nobody was looking, I trotted. Okay maybe I ran and if you are really trying to label this activity, I was jogging. The Safety Third Compound is surrounded by game trails and National Forest, so my “jogging” has been clandestine. After laughing out loud at myself in the woods, I needed a pair of inexpensive shoes and commitment. So far this was heaps cheaper than any other search for adrenaline or any high for that matter.
This all started out of boredom while watching the world shut down, now I attend organized running events. After spending years competing in snowboarding and skateboarding contests, it’s interesting to see how other events are structured. The most notable difference is the running competitors seem sober compared to the boarding community. Things also go according to a schedule with runners – in board world we stop for an ambulance now and again. Trying to find the people who need to be at the start line during boarding events can take time. Skaters and snowboarders are usually in a conversation about how they are going to win or why they can’t possibly compete under these conditions. Runners hang out smiling at the starting line excited about how early they woke up for this day. Skateboarding and snowboarding events have been rightfully described like trying to herd cats, runners calmly discuss diets excited to “GO!”.
Runners and skaters do have a similarity in that we blend into the tapestry of most situations. Nobody really messes with skateboarders as they glide through the crime scene, the same is true for runners. Running for exercise, you can keep your head down, not worried about having to stop for anything other than shit on your shoe, that also keeps people from talking to you.
I don’t compete in organized board events anymore because of past injuries and wanting to be able to walk later in life. Now after jogging for a couple months I’ve attended two organized running events. Just short distances in the old guy category and only interested in seeing if I can finish. My criteria didn’t change for my last event, but I got second and stood on the podium.
YouThe 2nd place trinket was cool but the free beer after the awards ceremony might just have me compete more. My first race had a table filled with donuts for the competitors. Beer and doughnuts for the joggers? Heck yeah! Doughnuts or donuts?r content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Beer and doughnuts are rare for me as I try to figure out this whole living a better life thing. Recognizing the symptoms of my multiple concussions has me on the path to gain control of my physical and cognitive abilities. Running is one of my medicines and has some cool side effects for both mind and body. Sure, my ass looks better in chaps when I’m riding my hog. Now that my butt is stronger, I can sit on that bike longer. I have noticed because of running that I can perform stronger and longer, for more toing and froing.
The physiological effects are far greater than I know today but running everyday is sufficient research. Blood and oxygen and cells and…yeah, that’s awesome. Seriously, I don’t want to mock science but I’m going to cherry pick what I want out of running and brain benefits. I’m still learning about what I’m doing to myself by having socks specific for my annoying jogger outfit.
Seeing the sun early in the day is scientifically proven to benefit the brain. Moving forward also releases chemicals in your brain and body to help nervous system productivity. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or as I call it, “huh”. The scientific community calls it EMDR. So EMDR will not be correctly explained by me but it has to do with specific eye movements during therapy to help with PTSD. While your eyes are working during forward movement it can lessen or reduce negative emotions.
Dude there are so many cans of worms to open about running for your brain but just simply running with a mantra to start the day can change your life. A mantra doesn’t need to be all about love, peace and happiness either. Lately I run repeating a mantra of “relief” that’s deep bro, it’s better than my last mantra “don’t step in shit!”
The voices in my head are screaming, I better run. I’m not going far or climbing mountains. This is a good laugh for those of you who have more than one annoying jogging outfit. As always, please check with a health care professional about anything you read here.
My friends don’t run and still get a good laugh when they see a picture of me in running shoes. I’m still learning everyday what the hell I’m doing to myself and how to keep moving forward. Right now, I’m keeping my head down and enjoying the laugh I get recalling all those cigarettes and hangovers.
My new medicine is running first thing in the morning to remind me how lucky I am to run. My concussions have left me with scars and symptoms, but I can still walk and run. My mantra changes on these runs and tomorrow it will be focused on those who can’t go outside. TBI’s are as different as a fingerprint and I’m very lucky to have the ability to tie my shoes.
Safety Third
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