Nov 11 2006
Running Naked
I live near a lake.
It’s not a big lake, but the trail around it has gentle hills and takes you under eucalyptus trees, past cattails and waving stands of wild fennel.
It’s a nice little lake and I enjoy running around it. I run counter-clockwise and this seems to be against “traffic.”
I see many familiar faces on my runs.
Except for The Hooded one. I’ve only seen her from the nose down. She’s a middle-aged Asian woman who wears a grubby-looking dark gray hooded sweatshirt. She shuffle-runs along the cinder path, bobbing a bit like a metronome. Her hood is always up, her head always down. Everything about her is tucked in.
Then there’s “Two Towels” – a large black man in a tracksuit and sweatband who carries a white washcloth in each hand. He runs with his hands down at his sides, the towels like flags. We nod or smile to each other sometimes.
Finally there’s Zen Guy. Zen Guy is maybe in his 50s, runs without a shirt most days unless it’s any wetter than drizzling. His tanned skin looks sprayed on, taut. He runs with a small smile and a peaceful expression. When we acknowledge each other, he will nod his head slightly, as if in benediction.
Those are just a few of the many regulars I see on my runs. Most of us seem to be in the same place – enjoying the outdoors along with our exercise.
Running energizes and relaxes me; I feel that it gives my mind a breath of fresh air. I find it almost meditative, especially when I’m running with nature.
When I’m running, there is nothing else but running. My mind wanders and on particular good runs, I feel no effort, just pure enjoyment.
Sometimes I’ll pass people wearing headsets, the music so loud I can hear a tinny beat as they go past. I’ll see people walking, engrossed in a cell phone conversation. They seem tuned out.
When I’m running, I’m not plugged in. No cords, no headsets, no phone, no batteries, no meters to measure my pulse or my steps.
Running outside is one of the few times when I’m devoid of technology. I’m running naked.
I see herons and cormorants and hear the cries of red-tailed hawks.
I’m tuned in to a different channel.
I like running naked – how about you?