An Autumnal Run & Poem

Run: 5.0 miles in :37:57 min. @ 4:10 a.m.

Pace: 7:35 min./per mile avg.
Weather: Fair, 59°F
Course: Castaway's Five the Easy Way Course, starting with a gradual downhill into a slightly challenging 1/2 mile uphill and culminating a easy stretch on "home"

My legs (ankles, calves, knees) still aching and tight from Sunday's trail race and long run, I woke up very early this morning and chose to run, consciously taking the additional time to fully stretch my legs out (which is to say I took the same amount of time I always should) before sneaking out the back door into the uncommonly warm night/morning...

For the first time this Fall I ntoiced the hint of autumn in the air: the scent of leaves falling and beginning to decompose...

"Autumn Grasses" by Margaret Gibson

In fields of bush clover and hay-scent grass
the autumn moon takes refuge
The cricket's song is gold

Zeshin's loneliness taught him this

Who is coming?
What will come to pass, and pass?

Neither bruise nor sweetness nor cool air
not-knowing
knows the way

And the moon?
Who among us does not wander, and flare
and bow to the ground?

Who does not savor, and stand open
if only in secret

taking heart in the ripening of the moon?

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!