Track and Field Blogs - Gabe Jennings

Lately, I have been mixing philosophy with my running. It is not always a good thing, like when it paralyzes you in the Rosenzweigian sense--when real life experience becomes separated from philosophical wonderment. But as a whole I have been able to temper my reflection to a productive and manageable level.

As I continue training for the CIM marathon this December I begin to add the 20 mile runs, longer tempos I am starting to feel a refreshing feeling in my stride. Partly, because of the intentionality behind my running. I begin my recovery run with pushups, core, yoga and a short dance tribute to Chango; I finish my run with a 400m sprint at 1500m race pace up a steeply graded hill; then I cool down with more pushups, core, and dynamic stretching. The rigorous discipline of a patterned routine keeps me very satisfied with the process. I have decided to run for fun! I don't want my (miserable) fitness to detract from the sport that I love. It is my hope that if I love what I am doing, then the fitness will come, the success will come . . . if I don't enjoy what I am doing, I stress, or worse neglect my training, which both lead to apathy and injury. So I might just be re-beginning this journey, but at least I am enjoying being a beginner.

Today I began a metaphysical philosophy class on PRAXIS and method in religion, investigating the work of Franz Rosenzweig (died 1929). Rosenzweig critiqued Hegel's secular vision of the State, and offer a new vision of an integrated religious practice. Concurrently, I am investigating a method of integrating a religious perspective into my RUNNING. Borrowing from Schopenhauer and the East I find the YOGIC tradition to be a good model to harness health, happiness and peace of mind. As the self-proclaimed YOGI RUNNER, I preach the power of RUNNING MEDITATION. Although I have yet to gain immortal physical success with my new method, i.e. Gold Medal, titles and honors; I have gained a sort of ENLIGHTENMENT as defined by the eternal Kant and elaborated by Hegel--meaning immanent penetration into the life blood of my soul and the intricate web of nature.

I have been reading the Register Guard daily and tuning into the CNN coverage on the presidential debates along with millions of my fellow Americans. There is something about this election that seems so crucial to our future, which has kept me captivated. Although, a certain part of me remains contemptuous of what I perceive to be the vulgar gluttony of so many of my fellow Americans; I am equally disgusted at what I perceive to be the herdlike unanimity and cheerleading of our intellectual elite. As I blogged last month, I was impresed with Palin entrance into the political arena and McCain's maverick, if controversial approach; which riles both liberals and conservatives. However, the past weeks I have become a follower of Obama once more. His spiritual tone of optimism, coupled with inteligence and magnanimous stately stature is irresistable.

We need a spiritual leader who is political if we are going to change our disgusting American habits. And it is here in the realm of HABITS that I call the running world to action! Make health a meditation and inspire health as a meditation. And to the rest of you: Get off your fat ass!

God bless!

Gabriel