While out on a run I would often find myself thinking of the run as a training run and my thoughts would be directed to an upcoming event, even an event that is months away. Long term goals add to the richness of this running life but I realized I needed to remind myself to not lose sight of the moment.

Over the past year, I’ve made it a point to ask myself what I would notice on my run if I knew this run would be my last. This thought has become a habit, like starting my watch, and I believe it has added a richness to my daily life and especially to my daily run. The sun on my face, the air going over my skin, my breathing, the feel of the earth under foot and how my body reacts and flows are some common thoughts.

I observe every little thing from architecture to landscape. I always notice the look of the sky, and the weather, the elements have become an important part of the experience to be savored no matter what the conditions, days I would have looked at as miserable now add spice and texture to my run. Once I’ve captured the moment, my mind will drift off to another place, but in what seems to be in a better context to where I’m at, right now.

Run in the moment,

Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner who is looking forward to … right now.