Another Holiday Run Complete!

I'm coming to find that my wife and I are becoming "Holiday Runners". I don't know if that is an actual term, but it seems to be a recurring event in our life. It makes alot of sense to me. On holidays we have time off from work to do things we enjoy. Just seems we really enjoy running together. So, we have spent the last year starting some traditions that we hope we can pass down through our family some day.

Not only are we finding time to spend together on the holidays, we are doing it for great causes. Most all of the organized running events have their proceeds go to a charity. This provides us a sense of community and fills our need to serve & help others. There is a great book I read some time ago (I think this is the part of the blog where I start rambling). It is called "Awareness" (by Anthony De Mello). The book is about understanding reality and how we influence it. The challenge is to become so in tune with reality that you can direct your behaviors and intentions to influence it in the manner you wish. I know you might be thinking this sounds like manipulation, but it really is about understanding yourself well enough to influence others.

When I was in graduate school I had a leadership mentor, Dr. Louis Miller. He was a clinical psychologist and was able to lead me on a path of self discovery to understand who I am as a person. I think all people are able to understand their identity and tendencies at some point in their life, I was fortunate enough to have a structure to expedite my journey (and mitigate alot of trial & error). "Awareness" was one of the better books I have read on self discovery. It's an easy read (<200 pages). The point of my ramble is that most all of our behaviors come from a selfish spot. We give in order to feel fulfilled and purposeful. We help others to gain the feeling of serving. I love running with my wife because it gives me a sense of connection with her. It also makes me feel good to know she enjoys it as well. I think you can see that the common theme in the previous sentences were - me, me, me! No one likes to think they are selfish, but if we weren't selfish people we wouldn't work so hard to serve & please others. I know it sounds weird to say it but, our selfish tendencies allow us to become closer to selflessness.

I have no idea how I got off on such a tangent, but as you are likely aware it is a characteristic of mine - part of my identity. Back to the story -

So, my wife and I ran the Franklin Classic this morning. Finished in 1 hour, 3 mins. I say that because our "holiday running" began last Thanksgiving at the Boulevard Bolt. It was the race that helped us understand how much we love running together (although "love" might not have been the word that came to mind if you saw us after that run!). Those of you that know Jennifer know how competitive she is. So she is our time keeper and the one that is constantly keeping up with our run times. We have come a LONG way since the Boulevard Bolt last year. In fact, she pushes me on the long runs and is constantly trying to improve our run times. Our next "holiday run" will be at the Jenny Wiley Festival on October 10th. What holiday is that, you ask? It's the day after Jason Chaffin Day (bday)! ;)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day! We started ours out on the right foot. In fact, one of the unique things about being a "Holiday Runner" is that you get up at the crack of dawn! I feel very productive to get up so early and knock out a good run before most people's day will begin. It feeds my need to feel like I am increasing my productivity!

God is Love!

Jason