Running helps you appreciate the simple things

It’s the last Sunday in July, there is so much going on and I don’t know how we fit it all in but everyone pulls together and it all works out. It’s Reek Sunday, it’s All-Ireland Football Final Day, it’s my Dad’s month's mind mass, the grass is down for hay, a young lad’s hurling match and South Mayo moves into Galway Races mode. The great thing about running is one can get up and go while the world sleeps; in a mad crazy world there is a beautiful time of the day that not many people know about, that not many people care about and that not many people have experienced. It’s the one time of the day where I can escape, where I won’t miss anything or won’t be missed. I will be gone and back before anyone realises.

With mass at 10am and a lot to be done before it, one has to be back early. It will be a sunrise start; today’s run is a long one, an easy one but most of all it will be a therapeutic one. It will clear a lot from a busy mind, before the madness and sadness begins.

There’s no need for an alarm as with the grass cut for hay, the crows' party from early morn, dancing on the roof from daylight. All the windows opened wide on a beautiful summer’s night, welcoming natures sounds, I look out the back window and a dewy mist settles over the Reek, I had a crazy notion of running there this morning but I’d want a helicopter to fit it in. A brightness peeps in across the landing, a beautiful red sky emerging in the front window, and the warmth and glow makes getting up all the more worthwhile. On tiptoeing out of bed today, I make a point of noticing everything; when life is complicated by unnecessary clutter, unnecessary needs and wants, unnecessary negativity, the simple things in life go unnoticed, yet the simple things can mean so much and can make one appreciate what we have right here, right now. Noticing the sky brightens one’s outlook on an already tough today.

On moving quietly downstairs, the pleasure of sipping a hot cup of strong tea fulfils one with warmth, energy and a feel good factor. The drooping house plants are crying for water so I quench their thirst and watch the pink, yellow and red petals come back to life and there’s the smell of homemade breads baking in the oven, set on a timer for all on return.

In a complicated world I sometimes think, why complicate things more? It’s sometimes the basic things in life that make it all worthwhile but sometimes life’s simplicities pass us out and we miss out on so much. When life stops you shockingly, you begin to notice everything, you begin to appreciate the basics, your attitude changes to a more relaxed, live-in-the-moment type thinking, where not everything has to be done and some things can just wait. If the floor doesn’t get swept before a run, what about? If the weeds grow over a bit, so what? If there’s a little dust on the windowsill it will wait for us. If you miss a call you can ring someone back. If breakfast is later that’s okay, because time is precious, moments and memories are to be treasured and the kids won’t remember the clean worktop but will the stories and chats.

I head for the line, a fresh, humid morning, and two birds appear. I think sometimes animals are signs, signs of youth and of new life. It’s July but one of hubby’s sheep had two lambs; in a time of mourning, new life makes you smile.

The tea has kicked in, the gear is on and I head off. It’s another beautiful day; in my younger days we were told that a red sky at morn meant bad weather later in the day, but right now it’s bliss and I sure am going to enjoy it. I run in the middle of the road, the grassy underfoot makes for easy jogging. It’s like running on a trail, the flowers are in full bloom, red, yellow, blue, white, all in one garden. I move left, I move right to avoid the briars, the fields are cut waiting for the hay to be bailed.

I move out of Shrule, leaving Mayo behind crossing over the Black River Bridge and into Galway territory. On All-Ireland day the maroon flags are in full flight; when you live in border country, the rivalry is heightened, the competition is fierce and a tension builds. Passing my Dad’s friend’s house, living on opposite sides of the border, playing on opposite teams but the best of friends, he's like myself – up at the crack of dawn to get going.

“Are you going to Croker,” he shouts. “Not a chance but I wish ye well.” I can still remember them playing and was always told football was a simple game: win the ball, keep the ball and deliver the ball. I hope it’s kept simple and spectacular today.

After a few weeks of grieving, I’m being so nice to myself and the family, because being nice is one of life’s simple pleasures. A smile from a stranger, a chat from a neighbour, a gift from a friend, a lift for a kid to their match, it all helps, it all lightens the load, a simple gesture but meaning so much. We are not so good at rewarding ourselves but we need to, because for us to stay strong we need to be spoilt.

I think about the future, the events coming up, what can be looked forward to, what will get us through. Time, company, the outdoors, space, escapism… this is what I have right now and I am going to enjoy it. I cherish my ‘me’ time when I rise a little earlier. It is a peaceful time, a time to think, to refresh, to plan, to appreciate what one has and yes, what one has lost, but to look at the positives. As I climb the mountains and become nearer the sky, one feels closer; I don’t know to what exactly, but I think of Dad. He kept things simple. Farming, football, family.

When you run up mountains, you feel closer to lots, to nature, to the past, to the animals, to the birds, but mostly to one’s feelings. The more you climb, the further away you go, away from reality, up so high through a path to a different kind of world, where one can see beauty for miles, where there are no distractions, where one feels strong, feels happy and time means nothing, where you can keep going.

I am on Caherlistrane soil, in the heart of Galway, the home of the Keane singers. They’re great friends of the family and growing up listening to their songs, what privilege to sing from the bottom of my heart with Matt Keane the closing hymn at Dad’s funeral, a simple but beautiful experience will stay with me forever. I begin to sing every word: “Calendonia’s calling me, now I’m going home”.

I am now crossing the bridge back into Mayo to face the day, but one is now ready. The day will be simple, we have people, time and love and that’s all that matters. Why complicate things? We will get through the mass, we will support each other, the All-Ireland will be a simple, spectacular sporting occasion, the hay will be saved, and the races can wait until tomorrow. I have no idea what time it is, how long I have been gone or how far I’ve ran but the church bells haven’t chimed, the crows are still dancing on the rooftop, the curtains are still pulled and the tractor hasn’t moved.

Running is a simple sport, get up, get out, get moving. It simplifies life’s complications, it simplifies what we really need and what’s important in a very busy world.

The world still sleeps. I have some more ‘me’ time left.