When I'm out running, I do a lot of thinking. Sometimes there are fairly shallow thoughts, regarding my surroundings, etc. but the majority of the time, I am processing through issues and relationships in my life.
I've noticed that as I process relationship issues while I'm running, I'm very brave. I make seemingly firm decisions about confronting people in my life regarding disagreements, ways they have hurt me (or me them), feelings that I have (good and bad) and truths that I strongly believe. I say "seemingly firm" because the significance and urgency of these decisions seems to wane after a run fairly rapidly. Occasionally, I still take some action as a result of my running reflections, but most of the bravado that pushes me to aggressively confront people dwindles as the adrenaline rush subsides.
Adrenaline (or epinephrine) is produced by the body's adrenal glands to increase your heart rate which in turn, increases the mount of blood that is pumped to your muscles. This allows your muscles to get the larger amount of oxygen they need during exercise. This process is also commonly known as the "fight or flight" response.
I believe that this process not only provides the blood flow (and oxygen) that the body's muscles need for sustained exercise, but that the increased blood flow also provides clarity and a high level of aggressive, confrontational thought. My thoughts push me to set the "wrongs" to "right" and bring all of the unbalanced situations and relationships in my life back to even.
The thought process is quite liberating, even if I don't follow through with confrontation after the run is over. It's like a therapy session where you get to beat the crap out of a stuffed person that represents everyone and thing that has ever hurt you.
Still, I sometimes wonder if I need to push myself to follow through with some of the confrontations, relying on the wisdom of the clarity I experienced while running.
Other times, I think about the implications of my running thoughts and am near horrified at the perspective of carrying out the confrontations.
Whatever the case may be, I find this process interesting and, for the most part, therapeutic.
Now, on with the music!
As I said in a previous post, I'm working my way through my current top 20 bands.
My most recent "Song of the Run" is by one of my all time favorite bands called Echo & The Bunnymen. Chances are that you have heard at least one of their songs on the radio.
It was a tough song pick this week. I love so many songs by EATB but ultimately, I chose the song that has meant the most to me in the past several years. Life is made up of good times and not so good times. Maybe even horrible times. We all experience stormy weather but it won't last forever. The storm will break and the calm will return. As hard as it is, we just have to wait it out.
"Remember when we walked upon
clouds that never rained
but... every cloud must drain"
"Stormy Weather"
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