Running has become a habit. Every Sunday I dress in tights and lace my running shoes, and run the same ten kilometers. It starts by following the shore where I can watch the seasons change, how ice gives way to water, and how the trees dress up in green. I run in sun and rain, I run in winter and in spring and I have taught myself not to care if people pass me by listening to podcasts while jogging along. I take my time, and leave the shore for the woods. About halfway I meet my wife who runs the same track in the opposite direction. Sometimes I wonder if I could have learned to love sports if I had been taught how peaceful it can be. How my thoughts can wander wild while I dash for home. How I missed it after surgery.
even the oaks
heaving under heavy boughs —
northerly winds
Oaks and sky
Today we write haibun about sport at dVerse. Join us.
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June 12, 2017
Björn Rudbergs writings 
The zen of long runs. Great images, Bjorn.
Yes.
You captured the peace you get from running so beautifully. Makes me want go run and I hate running. What poetry can do!
I used to hate it too… but now i do love it… just find that special path and make it a habit.
I have chronic anemia so I have an excuse, but that haiku is lovely 🙂
(besides the running) I was taken away with your words. Like the wind brushing through the seasons. (I’m a swimmer myself, but I do like long walks.)
I understand how and why you miss it. It is that peacefulness, even though mine is at a slower pace. Floating is peaceful. Are you allowed to try floating.
I’m a runner too, so really connect with this. I love the Haiku’s, especially how “heaving under heavy boughs” could be the heavy breathing, legs feeling tired, And Northerly winds — you running like the wind, facing the sharp wind as you run. Lovely.
You’ve written so well about the experience of running, the way the physical activity frees the mind. I love that detail of the changing seasons. I’m pleased you are back in your trainers.
Your love of the run comes through loud and clear, Bjorn, and I can imagine how you’ve missed it. Soon you’ll be at it again! Thanks for sharing.
This is great! Love in the haiku how both you and the tree are heaving. You are nature.
This has such a lovely, peaceful vibe that mingles wonderfully with rousing ‘leave-that-couch-behind’ notes – stirring, in its own way.
Whoopie! My comments are getting through!!!
How wonderfully that peace, that sense of well being is brought out. Love the haiku. Beautiful. Hope you recover soon and enjoy the run once again.
‘About halfway I meet my wife who runs the same track in the opposite direction.’ – well, i’m quite intrigue of this. wonderful haibun!
how ice gives way to water, and how the trees dress up in green.
that is so nice. 🙂 i think i must get moving. 😉
Such a peaceful run from shore to woods – and I love the strength of the oaks in the haiku!
A lovely scenario that you created in this one. I like that you and your wife pass each other going opposite directions.
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Beautiful haiku to top off your prose here. Well….the way you describe running makes it sound enjoyable. For me, I like fast walking…easier on the shins in the city. We do have the Charles River just a 5 minute walk from our place and it’s surrounded by a beautiful esplanade so it’s wonderful walking there….especially right now with the mama geese and their teenage gawky little ones. We missed their baby stage when we were vacationing.
I’ve never run any distance, but I can see how being forced to change habits would lead one to miss what one did in the past. I prefer a slow walk.
The patterns of your words echo the patterns of the run. You share the peace with your words. Great write!
As far as I can tell — with the speaker beginning in tights and lace, and ending with surgery — this is actually about cross-dressing and gender reassignment. The wife running in the opposite direction (toward other women, toward becoming a man) is very clever — as if meeting in the middle, but as different people.
Smart writing.
i used to run as well – and stopped for lack of time – how stupid – after reading this i think i should start again
A beautiful reflective piece about running. I miss running… my feet don’t, however, and they rule. You nailed it about the peace that comes, the ability to observe and take in while running.
Your words makes me want to run along those shores and woods. I’m sorry about how you couldn’t run. I wish you to get better. Amazing haiku.
How truly wonderful. I envy you but could never become a runner because of a health issue. I really appreciate in this one, how stunningly poetic your prose is, in addition to the glorious haiku and photo. I sometimes think I use too much hyperbole when commenting on your work but I am at a loss for words.
beautiful write every single word
Fantastic read. Very thought provoking and original. Great job!
Running really is a habit. And i miss it too when i can’t run. I hope you recover quickly so you can get back to it.