Flying Dreams Are Overrated

Some people have flying dreams. I have running ones. It's ironic isn't it, the man who can't walk dreams about running? I exaggerate of course, I can walk. Just not well. Age isn't normally kind, and it's kept up its trend with me. They don't exaggerate, kids, arthritis is a bitch. If you combine arthritis with an old knee injury, you get a man who needs a cane to walk seven steps. I'm not bitter about it, though, I know I've had my fun.

Running was never a huge part of my life. I played football through college and was moderately active through my youth and early adulthood. Like most, I'd pick up the hobby of running when my jeans would get a bit too tight, or when I'd have one too many sweets. I never particulary loved the hobby. Running is hard.

Despite this, every other night I wake up running. Well, sometimes I sprint or jog or meander through, but I'm always running. Sometimes I'm getting away from something or running to something, or just running for the hell of it. Still, I'm always running.

I wouldn't say I avoid my problems either. I'm a turn-and-face-it kind of guy, not a run-away-from-my-problems-dude. Macy says it's because I have unresolved conflict in my life and that the running is my body's way of working through it. I'd disagree though, a man in his early 80's shouldn't have too much conflict.

My theory is that it's my body's way of remembering. Even though the location and speed changes every time, it never hurts. My body moves smoothly, crisply, every muscle and tendon working together in harmony. It's magical, and I never seem to stop. I wish I could run that way in my waking life. It just isn't the same. I can't run half as fast as I could at forty, and I can run about three times less of distance. Youth was so clear, so crisp, so powerful. Those memories are the strongest.

I know that I won't be around for much longer, and I'm okay with that. Every thing has it's time, and I'm approaching mine. It seems as if I dream longer and more vividly every night, running farther and farther, faster and faster, tirelessly seeking out a place to rest. So, no, I'd rather not have a flying dream.