TITLE: Another Way Life is Like Running AUTHOR: Eugene Wallingford DATE: March 25, 2007 9:35 AM DESC: ----- BODY: Seven miles on heavy legs this morning had these passages on my mind:
To me it was a relief just to realize it might be ok to be discontented. The idea that a successful person should be happy has thousands of years of momentum behind it. If I was any good, why didn't I have the easy confidence winners are supposed to have? But that, I now believe, is like a runner asking "If I'm such a good athlete, why do I feel so tired?" Good runners still get tired; they just get tired at higher speeds. ...

If you feel exhausted, it's not necessarily because there's something wrong with you. Maybe you're just running fast.

As a runner trying to work back into shape, I appreciate this reminder. As a person trying to be a good husband and father, I appreciate it. As a student of computing and programming who faces an unending flow of new knowledge to be gained, I appreciate it. As a department head who can't seem to get off the treadmill of daily grind, I appreciate it. You should read the whole piece in which these words appear, another essay from the wisdom of Paul Graham. Don't worry; it's not about running. Oh, and as for seven miles on heavy legs this morning: The sun is out, the temperature is up, and spring rains fell overnight. However slow I felt, the run was a glorious reminder that spring has returned. -----