Running Is Believing

“I’m no great runner, by any means. I’m at an ordinary—or perhaps more like mediocre—level. But that’s not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.”

– Haruki Murakami

Running – a simple activity we humans were born to do has constantly evolved over time. From being a necessity to earn food, it is today a necessity to burn food. It may have been a compulsion for our stone age ancestors, the persistence hunters, however, subsequently it got evolved as a recreational activity in ancient Greece around 2700 years ago (https://sportsecyclopedia.com).  Fast forward to today, running is now the sport of the masses, both in competitive and recreational forms and is a part of day to day life for many of us. 

It is surprising that running as an activity which is supposed to be simple and natural is getting complicated with each passing day. Every runner’s quest to derive joy and runner’s high is also marred with doubts and confusion during their running journey, such as :

• Distance and pace to run ?
• The right training – how much tempo, fartlek, aerobic/anaerobic runs etc. ?
• Type of diet to follow ?
• Ten percent rule/ MAF / HR zones ?
• Gadgets/trackers and their accuracy ?
• Performance indicators – VO2 max, HR, cadence , stride length etc.- how much is much ?
• Best shoes for training and races (made even more confusing with so many options to chose from) ?
• Barefoot running ?

The list is endless and every runner ponders over these aspects in terms of what they intend to achieve from running. This relentless push to achieve more and more may lead to a scenario of ‘always chasing’ the next possible running goal. Don’t get me wrong – I am not saying that one should not chase the PB, however, the manner in which it is being chased perturbs me. You cannot be achieving your running goal without deriving the most important takeaways from running – mindfulness & joy. 

I recently read the book ‘Wabi Sabi’ by Nubuo Suzuki and I was simply blown away. Each section and every concept indicated in the book just amazed me with its striking correlation and applicability to running. Since then I have been restless to pen down my thoughts and share this beautiful concept. As indicated in the book, let me introduce you to three dimensions of Wabi Sabi. I truly feel that consciously applying the same towards running may benefit each one of us.

Wabi Sabi Philosophy

The Wabi Sabi philosophy was used by fourteenth century Japanese monks who followed the zen tradition. The word Wabi which was used to express solitude one feels in nature, over time transformed to resemble tranquility, rustic simplicity and beautiful imperfections. The second word Sabi, although historically described as wizened and wilted, also took a positive undertone to resemble the beauty and calmness brought to us by age and experience. Isn’t it exactly the evolution of running? The way Wabi Sabi philosophy has transformed from a compulsive state of being to something which is absolutely natural, acceptable and cherished is similar to the transformation of running over the ages. Running, from being a requirement, has today metamorphosed to recreation for many. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that following the Wabi Sabi philosophy can make anyone a better and contended runner considering the striking resemblance between both.

“Wabi Sabi is a way of seeing life and the universe. Its central principle is acceptance of the imperfection and temporary nature of all that resides in the world. It is the beauty of the incomplete, the impermanent and the imperfect. From a spiritual point of view, it is intricately linked to Zen.”

One can simply imbibe this process in their running journey and reap unmatched dividends physically, mentally and spiritually. We just need to enjoy the beauty in the kind of running we do and be contended with whatever we achieve as runners day after day. It cannot be specifically quantified with PBs or results, it can only be felt step by step, stride after stride.

No runner is perfect and we need to accept imperfection. Wabi Sabi guides us to be the best imperfect person one can be. By approaching running from wabi sabi perspective, we willingly embrace the uncertainty of our running journey, along with the mystery of our own abilities. What is natural and unpretentious is wabi sabi and as runners we must imbibe these two aspects. A runner, precisely like nature is always work in progress. Nature endlessly renews itself, nothing is everlasting in nature. Nothing is eternal in running too, you get slow-you get fast, you get injured-you bounce back, you train to race-you race to train. It is this perpetual cycle which keeps us going as runners. We only need to accept ourselves the way we are and find the beauty in impermanence, calmness in mind, endlessness in effort and keep going on and on, one season after  the other, just as nature. 

Wabi Sabi in Art

Enso is a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism. Although at first glance, the symbol appears no more than a misshapen circle, it symbolises the beauty in imperfection and incompleteness of all that exists, the pure essence of wabi sabi. This circle is often practised by calligraphy masters and is never symmetrical. It is traditionally drawn using only one brushstroke as a meditative practice in letting go of the mind and allowing the body to create. The Enso is a manifestation of the artist at the moment of creation and the acceptance of our innermost self.

Can we find any commonality between Enso and our runs ? 

One must appreciate that no two Enso circle can be exactly same. Isn’t it the same with our runs? Every run/race is unique and no matter how much one tries, they may never be able to replicate the effort. One may challenge by saying that it is replicable in terms of timings or other recorded parameters. However, can it ever be replicated in terms of how it felt in mind and body? It is the uniqueness of each run which sets it apart and always allows us to create the next one with an even better effort. We only need to synchronise our mind and body and enjoy the process. A well executed mindful run performed with calmness and purpose, irrespective of the timing and distance, may create more balance within the prevalent chaos of trying to do too much in too little time – the main essence of wabi sabi. 

As runners, we need to be like water by being transparent, without trying to be someone we are not. By challenging ourselves, dissolving the ego, and simply merging with what we are doing.

Wabi Sabi as a Way of Life

Wabi Sabi is simplicity and minimalism. We need to change our mindset to remove the noise from the world surrounding us. Modern runners are under pressure, always chasing and comparing themselves with other runners. Wabi Sabi is the exact opposite of that. It just allows us to accept who we are and loving ourselves the way we are. Wabi Sabi encourages us to create space within us instead of adding more and more. Instead of being stressed about chasing the rapidly changing goals, the newly created space allows us to progressively achieve what is beautiful and essential. That calls for discipline and will force us to change certain habits. As runners, we need to imbibe this and create the right space in our life. It means having a schedule, prioritising the kind of sessions to do, which races to get into, taking a rest day and above all listening to the body. 

Accept imperfection, we are not bound to be productive every single day. We can feel good having a slow jog, relaxing stroll or walk too. Distinguish the negative from the positive aspects in your running journey – take out the acts which sap you of energy and focus on the ones which charges you up as a runner. In running, we can choose to imbibe imperfection as a road to excellence. In our quest to chase perfection, we need not lose the good. Most of the times we focus all our attention to things that are not going the way we want. Our obsession to perfecting our runs may become counter-productive. Wisdom is in knowing how to be a satisfied, happy and contended runner. For example, let us consider two runners with the following traits :

Runner 1 (focused on seeking perfection) – Gets obsessed with comparing to others. Finds himself in a constant state of frustration because he feels even if he improves there will be someone running better than him. Both body and mind are in constant state of stress. He feels there is always something else to do and improve. He is not satisfied with outcome and always feels what could have been done better.

Runner 2 (in sync with wabi sabi) – Accepts that there will be people running better than him and instead of feeling frustrated, this inspires him to do well. Loves himself and appreciates the beauty of running and achieving continual improvements. If he feels that given the circumstances, he has given his best, celebrates his effort and lets the mind and body relax. He understands that it is inevitable that few runs/races may not go so well and he appreciates the same. 

Which runner do you want to be ?

Just be the best imperfect runner you can be – live your running journey one day at time, accept uncertainty, follow the mysterious rhythm of body and mind, manage expectations, achieve mindfulness, derive joy. Imbibe the Wabi Sabi ideology and see yourself thriving as a runner and in life.