Observing More Than Steering

Halfway through today's run, I got an idea.

With the Hudson river on my right and Riverside Dr on my left, I wove my way past the guy with the stroller. Deviating from the shady pedestrian walkway was the right call—I could feel it. So I careened down the stone steps at a steady clip and landed in the sun on the pier. Without breaking my stride, I reached for my ear. After removing my headphones, I stashed the case in my pocket.

I don't remember the last time I ran without listening to something (music, podcast, audiobook). Years ago, when I first started running, I think I was afraid of the voice in my head that would just say "THIS SUCKS" on repeat.

Now, though, I noticed I could acknowledge the influx of sounds around me and then discard them at will. I was directing thoughts like traffic, observing more than steering and it was such a... nice change of pace.

Getting to run in shorts and a t-shirt for the first time this season definitely helped.

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Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
211/365

Do you direct your thoughts or do they steer you?

onward.

For more on this daily column and The MAP Year Project, read the backstory here. And if you know someone who'd appreciate this, pass it along.