Can long runs bring you closer to God?

I'm a big fan of the runners high. I think it is a spiritual and physiological journey that is best explored rather than explained. But if you prefer a guided tour, here's a class you can take at North Andover Catholic College/Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, called "The Spirituality of Running". Dr. Warren Kay designed the class to look at such traditional religious acts as prayer, sacrament and pilgrimage and draw parallels to running. You can find an interview and story here.

Here's an excerpt:

"(Running) is not a break from reality but an escape to reality," Kay said. "This is what the course is about."

Merrimack College student Jim Nugent had an awakening at some point during the class that was, if not profoundly spiritual, at least surprising. He learned to love running.

"I hated running through high school," said Nugent, who played football and baseball. "Running was a punishment in sports."

But Kay's reading assignments and class discussions got him thinking about how running has a lot in common with, for example, a traditional religious pilgrimage. It involves movement, Kay said, as well as simplicity of dress, a sense of fellowship with people around you and a temporary release from the social ties of life, work and school.

And, Kay said, like a sacrament, running can be a way to experience a tangible, outward physical sign of inward grace and sacred reality.

That's pretty cool! And yes, he does talk about the point in the race where you pray for it to end. ;oP

(JC goes trail running with some pals; figurine available at CatholicShopper.com!)

I hope you're all having a great holiday season. I got some snowshoeing in yesterday at Tahoe, and my hip flexors are now reminding me that it may look like running, but it ain't running.

Cheers,

SD