My runs recently have been less and less planned. I put on my running shoes, I stop thinking and I go. I really go. Everywhere I turn here in Oregon is beautiful, so it really doesn’t matter what direction I end up going I’ll be looking at beautiful mountains, trees, people, no matter what—so it works out.

I was lacking some serious motivation today. As I put on my shoes and running clothes I kept getting distracted by Facebook, Twitter, what song was next on Pandora, text messages…etc, media is a great way to keep you from getting anything done. I fiiiiiiiiiinally got my ass out the door, started my watch and got going. I had no plan, no distance or time in mind, I just ran.

“I ran to be free; I ran to avoid pain; I ran to feel pain; I ran out of love and hate and anger and joy.”

—- Dagny Scott

Take this quote whatever way you want. Today, for me, this quote is literally about going for a run to feel the hurt of a great work out, to free my mind, body and soul, to do something I love and hate all at the same time. I run to sort out the world’s problems and think about my own or not think about them at all.

Today I ran to be free from my mind. No plan, no direction, no time limit. I was able to notice the brilliants of the fall foliage; the trees that are on fire with a snowy mountainous back drop and an awesome blue sky. I freed my body from being self-conscious; I freed my mind from all the things I think about daily, hourly…a constant struggle to keep my mind from over thinking. I was able to let go and really run. And on runs like these, time, distance and direction really don’t matter. The take away isn’t the miles logged, it’s the mentally clarity gained.