July 2019 Monthly Running Challenge

A few weeks ago, I read something about the Japanese and religion. The Japanese culture, similar to Chinese culture, believes that there are many gods, and has no problem adding new ones to the existing thousands. However, while Chinese are almost entirely pragmatic (what can this god do for me?), religion in Japan is largely ritual based. People who identify as Buddhist have no qualms celebrating Christmas in a church, or bringing new babies to Shinto shrines for Miyamairi, a traditional rite of passage for newborns. The thinking behind these practices follows the logic of - this is the event, and this is the right ritual with which to celebrate it.

Despite of this (or perhaps because of this?), the Japanese have a certain ritualistic feeling to their everyday life. Things that were entirely practical skills (tea-making, calligraphy, martial arts) in China have become complicated rituals far transcending their original intentions into the realm of lifestyle or philosophy.

The same might be said for other activities that seem mundane, until the activity is done over and over, day in and day out, until it transcends the everyday and becomes a kind of ritual. The wizened craftsman insists on glazing his pottery a dozen times, beyond the limits of practicality. The housewife goes to tea ceremonies every weekend for decades, perfecting the art of sitting properly, bowing correctly, putting each utensil just so. And the runner pounds the pavement four times a week, through all seasons, in any weather, perhaps starting out for weight loss, or better health, or because they can't afford therapy, but eventually, as long as they keep going, the point of the run becomes the run itself.

As Murakami stated in his book with a very long name: "People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest... Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life."

I guess what I'm trying to say is, this running thing we do, is a point within itself. Every time we left right left right down the street, we're doing more than just moving. We're celebrating something. One footfall at a time. Repeating as long as it takes to finish.

So, you know, keep moving. Keep celebrating. Happy running, everyone.