The Purpose of Life

Funny the things you think about when you're up super early for a run and have some quiet time alone. In the quiet hour between the end of last Thursday's morning run and my commute to work, I was thinking about...life.

I don't often get too contemplative these days - I think I left a lot of that navel-gazing behind with my teens - but I had read this comic from The Oatmeal recently and I think it was lodged in my head:

This is just an incomplete snapshot of the entire thing. He goes on to write that the things he loves don't often bring him joy - sometimes they make him suffer but they are compelling. That's how I often feel about writing and running!

I hate the two ends of the "meaning of life" spectrum: the positive side that thinks life is meant to bring you happiness and that you should feel fulfilled always, and the nihilistic side that thinks we're all just existing and there's nothing more to it, and that life owes us nothing so if we're not happy who cares?

Although I do find the Nihilist Memes page on Facebook pretty damn funny if you're into dark humor.

Side note: There are a million articles online about how to find happiness in life, and I feel like if you're reading those articles trying to pick up tips, you're going about it the wrong way.

Then I was thinking, really, what do I think the meaning or purpose of life is? Because when I'm just living it, I'm not enjoying it, and when I'm enjoying it, it may all still be meaningless, but at least I'm not miserable. I came up with three things that, to me, speak to the purpose of life:

The reality of the world we live in is that we won't enjoy every minute of every day. We need to do some things we don't love or aren't passionate about in order to survive, and I think anyone who says differently has more privilege than I've ever known. But we do need to enjoy life if we want to thrive, and there's a difference between surviving and thriving.

When I'm satisfying my curiosity, learning new things, exploring, and experiencing the world around me, life feels a lot richer.

We need to seek out things that engross us and prioritize them in a way that makes them part of our lives on a regular basis. If you don't know what that thing is for you, it's time to explore. Take a class. Volunteer. Learn to cook. Read more. Take a day trip. Go to a museum. Try your hand at drawing. Go camping. Whatever. For me, obviously, one of those things is running. It doesn't always make me happy, but it compels me.

Life itself may not have a definite purpose (to paraphrase the Oatmeal: that's okay) but it feels better when we're engaged with living. It's like I used to tell my students: you have to be here, so you may as well make the most of it!

How's that for a marriage between blind optimism and nihilism?

Do you think there's a purpose or meaning to life?
What enriches your life?

ABK

"I'm housebreaking a tornado."

With only a quarter of 2014 left, I had to take a look at my resolutions from last year. I've had to readjust some due to moving and our finances, but one I let fall by the wayside simply due to laziness is cross-training. So Friday I forwent my usual after school nap and worked out with a couple teachers instead.

Arms and core...my armpits are killing me!

This week, I downloaded Matthew Inman's (better known as The Oatmeal) new book The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances. If you're unfamiliar with The Oatmeal, it's a website of informational/hilarious comics. Inman writes and draws them all; he also runs marathons and ultras. This book is a collection of comics - some already from the website and some new material - about his experiences with running.

I was crying/laughing my way through it; there are also some poignant moments that made me pause and go, "Yeah, I get that."

One such page from Inman's book.

 I think reading it just before my medium-long run was a good idea; today's run was easy. I mean, 9 miles is never easy, but my head was in the right place for it. And I had great company.

I know some of you up north are starting to see wintery weather; we're due for a cold front Sunday!

It was 79 when we started, and 75 when we finished!

Kristin met me just after mile 1 and stayed with me until mile 8. We chatted the entire time; good companionship can seriously make the run.

It sprinkled on us at mile 4. We paused at the park so I could eat a Gu and get a drink. It's so nice to not have to carry water or wear a belt when I'm running this particular route.

I highly recommend this flavor!

My new strategy is to not carry water if I can help it; instead I've started experimenting with hydrating really well the day before and sucking on hard candy during the run to keep my mouth from feeling dry.

So far, these have been working!

After Kristin left me, I finished my run with a smile on my face. We kept the pace nice and even. I couldn't have asked for a better recovery-miles week.

Mile 9, feeling fine!

 Of course, I treated myself to a nice breakfast after the run. 

Eggs over-easy and a waffle. Yum!

(Usually I'd be fasting today for Yom Kippur...this is the first year since 1999 that I haven't. Last year I fasted and moved my long run to Sunday...of course I was exhausted and depleted and nothing good came of that. I've missed too much training this year; I decided not to fast, but it wasn't a decision I made lightly.)

On a final note, Kristina's first marathon is TOMORROW! Head over to her blog and leave her a comment...she's worked really hard and is going to kick serious tuchas!

How do you like your eggs?

Do you eat candy on the run? Any recommendations?

Are you experiencing wintery weather yet?

Wishing good luck and speedy legs to everyone running the PDX Marathon tomorrow!

ABK

 

Not Exactly Name Brand...

I've loved The Oatmeal for years. When Matthew Inman wrote his blog post on ultra-marathoning, I was even more hooked. Then he came out with this beauty, a 6-part comic on long distance running, and I nearly died from fan-girling.

I immediately set out to purchase the tech shirt he designed. It came today, and was just what I needed as a pick-me-up!

Fuzzy photography courtesy of Matt. But Archie approves of the shirt!

Let's play "This Room Belongs to a Runner" I-Spy.

Running away from this fat little Lard Fairy is such a great motivator. Also, I hope to gross people out at the gym. (Matt is super grossed out by the shirt.) It's really comfy and light! Once it cools down, it will make a great addition to my wardrobe.

In not-so-good news, my 15-miler yesterday was cut to 10 because my foot was killing me. I tried to pad the hot spot, but to no avail. This morning there was an angry red bump where the pain is, but the bump is gone now. The pain isn't.

Hopefully this can be solved by a new lacing technique.

I have a podiatrist appointment on Thursday. Let's hope this isn't a fracture.

Have any weird running gear that just makes you smile?
Do you read any webcomics you just HAVE to share?

ABK