My Complex…Keep Running

A family of five winds along the asphalt path beneath the tree line canopy of Ohiopyle State Park. Each pedals along on their bicycle at a leisurely pace, or so it seems. Though it may look relaxed, within the mind of the 10-year old boy it is an all-out race. To him, everything that can be a competition is a competition. As the group enters the final miles of the ride, his sister begins to pull away and the boy gives chase. This will prove to be a common theme for him growing up, chasing the footsteps of his two older sisters.

I have recently come to a conclusion, one that has been in the works for a while:  I have a complex. I can’t quite say where it came from or what sparked it. I know for sure it’s not family as I have one of the most loving, encouraging, supportive families one could ever hope for. It’s just that to me the idea of what is “enough” is an ever-moving target as I grow older and I’m not sure any personal performance will ever live up to my standards. I have convinced myself that being content is to grow complacent, something that I never hope to do. I know that these viewpoints can come off as extreme and unrelenting but it is how I keep myself progressing, or as a good friend once put it, staying in a state of “relentless forward motion”.

I think that this is one of the reasons I am so drawn to running and triathlons. There is no end. You could be a world-class athlete, but someone better will always come along. World records are not made to stand, nor are titles. I keep on telling myself that if I just do this race or complete this one goal, then I will be happy with my performance. However, this is never the case. I live in the moment and enjoy my races for what they are, but do not allow myself to savor it for too long. For the most part, I cross the finish line with a smile, enjoy a moment with those I am close with, and then say inside my head “What’s Next?”

My best way to describe it is a lyric from the end of Kid Cudi’s Up Up and Away: “The end is never the end. A new challenge awaits. A test no man could be prepared for. A new hell he must conquer and destroy. A new level of growth he must confront himself. The machine in the ghost within. This is the journey of the man on the moon.” In short, as our video of the week puts it “Keep Running”.

I’m curious to hear if anyone else has the same type of “complex”?

Always in Stride,

Jack

Song – Up Up & Away – Kid Cudi

Quote – “The end is never the end. A new challenge awaits. A test no man could be prepared for. A new hell he must conquer and destroy. A new level of growth he must confront himself. The machine in the ghost within. This is the journey of the man on the moon. “ – Kid Cudi

Video – Keep Running Short Film