There are no standards and no possible victories except the joy you are living while dancing your run....you are not running for some future reward-the real reward is now!

Fred Rohe, author of The Zen of Running

The great Geb, Haile Gebrselassie, surprised everyone when he announced at the New York City marathon this past weekend that he was retiring from running. I watched the videos of his press conference, I heard the dead silence as it sunk in to the press around him - that was his last race and he stopped at mile 16 due to a knee injury.

Listening to him talk, trying to explain, he said a couple of times, "I don't want to complain anymore." To me, it sounded like running had lost its joy for him. I love my runs, they still bring me great joy. Some of the joy comes from watching the sun rise, running in the quiet of the early morning, crossing the finish line standing up - but most of my joy comes from the people I run with.

I hope more of our Sole Saints come out and join us. There is no pace we set and no one we leave behind. It's just us finding a little joy in the cold, early morning.

peace be with you -
Hilary