Life's beautiful and so is Spring!

If you live in Florida, and are not running you are missing some spectacular things. I generally leave the work of describing the beauty of nature to artists and poets, but I am making an exception today. The sights and sounds in Gainesville are just so beautiful these days. There is the fabulous fresh green of the new leaves that are coming on the trees. I know it is just early February and a little early for Spring, but brightly colored blossoms have entered the scene.

This is why you should be out running. The temperature is perfect, the sun isn't shining too bright, and there is a cool breeze on most mornings and evenings. There is no fog and all the different colors are a treat to the eyes. So step out of your house and go for a leisurely walk, if not a run, and soak in all the beautiful sights and sounds. Hope to see you on the trail!

Running is more than exercise

I am a PhD student and I have always likened the process of getting a PhD to long distance running. You have to step out day after day, build your skills, accumulate the miles, live through injuries and pitfalls, face the weather and come out on that final race day to prove that all the hard work was worth it.

It is a learning and a very humbling experience, one helps you showcase your strengths and work on your weaknesses. At the end of it, you are a slightly better person than when you started. Personally, I have even found running of help in my PhD - it clear my head and keeps the brain agile. The number of instance when I have pounded the road to vent out the frustration of poor results, is better to be kept hidden from the blogosphere.

I found this article really interesting and I reflected again on the metaphor of running - life. Broader than a PhD, but corroborates my theory.

PS: I am back to running and enjoying it like hell! Nothing like Florida weather for running :)