This feels good

I needed to run this weekend off.  Running feels good: for an hour or so I can mostly avoid conscious thought and just allow my body to respond to the environment and the stresses I choose to place on it.  When stressful, anxiety-provoking thoughts get to be too much to bear, it’s ok to let them go temporarily.  Besides, the unconscious processes that quietly hum in the background-keeping us breathing, hearts beating, sleeping and waking- are so good at what they do, it’s nice to let them have a chance to shine.  

I remembered this when I ran along the Boulder Creek Path on Sunday.  The Creek Path is fully paved, but I prefer to run alongside it in the woods or in the packed dirt just next to the path.  I had one of those moments that I’m sure all people who run experience: that moment where you start to roll your ankle.  Then, before you have even consciously registered that you are about to tip over or hurt yourself, some subconscious, cerebellar process kicks in.  Reflexively, muscles and weight ratios adjust ever so slightly.  And while on the conscious level you have just begun to perceive that your foot is slipping from under you, your brain stem and body have already made the proper adjustments: you’re upright, you’re still running and you’re fine.

And five paces later you think, “Damn, cerebellum, that was badass.  Thanks for looking out for me.”  Or maybe you don’t, but I did.  It’s nice to know that my subconscious is looking out for me.