Photo by Scott Markewitz

Most runners have days when they run hard and days when they run easy. On the hard days there are a lot of things to think about like time, pace, effort and form. However on the easy days my mind is often free to wander and I sometimes catch myself creating a scenario that goes with that particular run.

Since I spend a lot of time running on trails and going up and down mountains I get to make up some really crazy ideas!


If the trail I am running on is narrow and my feet have to land right in front of each other I pretend like I am an Indian running from one camp to another. If I see a deer or a rabbit while I am running I imagine that I am hunting for food. Sometimes I create a situation where I might be on a "mission" to deliver an important message. If I hear a strange sound I act like I am running from a giant bear! Of course for all I know it might not be an act!!!




Other times, when I am putting in the miles, a small movement I make might suddenly have me imagining that I am someone else. I guess the movements trigger an image that has been burned into my mind. If one of my arms swing wide I feel like I am Bill Rodgers on one of his great Boston wins. If I hold my hands in a certain position I see myself as Alberto Salazar breaking the world record. Sometimes when I catch myself really focused and staring intently I see an image of Pre. If I hit a section of trail really smoothly images of Haile Gebrselassie in the opening scene of his movie Endurance flash into my mind. This image is so powerful that sometimes, I even "hear" the music/breathing of the soundtrack. There is no telling when these images will pop into my head but they are neat while they last.

Of course most of the time I don't have to create or imagine anything because when running in the mountains it seems as if there is always something better than I can imagine. For me running itself is being creative!

Matt on his kickbike.

Prizes for the have been donated by USATF, Runner's World, and KidsRunning.Com.
Matt's childhood photos are by his mom. He stands at the far right in the photo of his school play in which Matt had the role of an Indian brave.

Editor's Note: Running and writing are more fun when they are combined. Warm up for our upcoming contest. Lace up your running shoes and get out the door. Start up slowly, then pick up the pace and have a great run. Cool down, drink and stretch, then break out that running journal and let 'er rip!