Sporadic joy is more than just a 'win', you know those delightful moments like filling up with petrol right as they are putting the price up, or getting a double yoker when you crack an egg. Sporadic joy can be a glancing moment between two strangers, waking up feeling like the world is just right or just a pure gust of happiness for no apparent reason (my cat Fonzie is prone to these, though equally as a Burmese/Siamese/somethingarother cross, he is equally prone to fits of whinging for no apparent reason).
I came up with this concept this morning on a light jog, which I really needed to dig into the depths of motivation to find the energy to commence. I'm normally a Michelle Bridges go get 'em person at the thought of a weekend lengthy exercise jaunt (ps If you didn't already know I met Michelle this year and squealed loudly in her ear, flapping my hands and requesting a photograph, definitely some sporadic joy there). Anyway, not this morning. Think it is a combination of extra sleep and a week out of routine. However as Dean Karnazes profoundly proclaimed in one of his books (well worth reading) he doesn't know of a person yet who went out for even ten minutes of running and didn't come back feeling better for it. So I soldiered on and low and behold I started to feel great. I will at this point actually give TP a little bit of credit here. I always like to give him shit about how much I have 'given' him, opening him up to the likes of outdoor swimming in the depths of Winter etc. Well, I will begrudge him the benefits of running to good tunes - however I will also argue that there is a time and place for just soaking up the delights of the environment, sans intrusion. Anyway for some reason I enjoyed several gusts of just sporadic joy whilst cruising along this morning, my legs felt strong, the path felt extremely runnable and I was just grateful for being able to start my day like that.
It also made me think about some sporadic joy of the day before. I took my last day of holiday as a day of solace. Strangely this began at 5amish to head across town and take Monday out for a chilly cruise, a lazy seaside run, followed by my real reasons for crossing the river, a couple of hours R&R at the St Kilda Sea Baths (add that to the pool slut list please!). All washed down with breaky out and the paper. Step in several moments of sporadic joy:
High fiving the guy who was jogging in thongs, lots of silly laughter from both parties.
Then I'm pretty sure I gave some sporadic joy to commuters cycling past me as I stopped for a bite to eat enroute from run to baths (I have a fear of going hungry). Bunkering down I had an awesome view of the world, whilst devouring my new fetish for bircher muesli. Saw lots of people smile as they commuted past:
Post-exercise I ventured to a very south of the river suburby breakfast spot, lacking a bearded barista of the north but still delightful. Highlight was sharing my bench with the woman who openly declared she had just finished a full hour of personal training, without a hair or speck of makeup out of place, armed with Home Beautiful. I did pre-judge her but she was endeared to me when the fireys pulled for a coffee pit stop and she leant over to share a moment with me. Sporadic joy at the random exchange of banter between two strangers - oh and the fireys set up in front of us for their coffee, just in case the paper lost my interest!
OK this has been far too lengthy I feel but I think my drift of sporadic joy definitely explored. Must add some of the pearls from the Wizard too before I forget.
So back to the purpose of the blog again, clocked up an OK'ish week, think I fitted everything in, just felt a bit off being out of routine. Will call today as my last official 'long run' prior to race day - 15km and not a sore spot to mention.
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