In the early hours of the morning, I use the day off to finish a John Banville novel.
At last. I have been laggard in my reading and there is something to be said about the satisfaction of reaching the last page of a book. Of course, sometimes one feels the dichotomy – the immersion of enjoying a book so much that one wants it to continue endlessly and yet the desire – the need – to reach its ending.
A long run with rhythm can feel the same way. A day off feels like that too. I want it, yet it feels like I could do with a short run. If anything, to chase away the manic start to the week.
Later, in the car, I start another book. This time a non-fiction. Perhaps one way to add stillness to the frantic pace of routine is to read.
The other way, for me, paradoxically, has been to run.
Writing about Running 