January 10, 2010

Step by Deliberate Step

Today I happened upon a few minutes that stood still.  It was during the final miles of 18.5 mile run.  Above Newport Beach's back bay, along the green belt, I glanced ahead and a tiny sliver of white caught my eye.  I slowed to get a better view.  Gently, in the distance, the figure began to take shape, sending clues through its slow, deliberate movements.  Alone amid a background of green leaves and a silent wind, a great White Heron stood before me. How close can I get?  I slowed to a walk.  Then slowed some more.

One hundred feet, fifty feet, twenty five. I inched closer. Fifteen feet! He turned to walk, cautiously, step by deliberate step, away from me. When I looked at his feet, then my own, I realized that we were walking in sync. We continued this slow waltz for less than a minute, and as I ambled along, I couldn't help but wonder how many more times I could lift my knee before this master would simply lift his wings and disappear into the sun.

Lift he did, and as I made my way through the last few miles, my pace quickly followed.

6 comments:

Flamin' Mo said...

I love experiencing moments like that one. Thanks for sharing!

Janet said...

I also am being more deliberate in my thoughts for the new year. Your most recent 2 posts about your approach to running, goals, success--very good to hear. We're all successful, even when we have to readjust.

Will Cooper said...

Mo and Janet, thanks for those nice comments. Keeping things in perspective with my running is a big part of my philosophy these years. Its what makes it all worth while in the end.

Hone said...

New to the blog. I think we briefly met at Sycamore Canyon last year.

Love the blog and hope you dont mind if I follow along sometimes.

Will Cooper said...

Evan, yes, glad to hear from you and we did meet at Sycamore last year. I remember you bounding back up the hill before I'd even made it to the turn around. I thought you were doing the 30k! Hope to see you on trail sometime soon. Rock it!

chris mcpeake said...

great blog. Well said