I remember the days
When I ran wild and free
Running was just running to me
There was nothing to correct
Nothing to do
Just find a path and away you'd go
No cares for the world
Or where your arms were
Or what your foot strike were
It was all about running
The road, the freedom and you
You ran when you were happy
You ran when you were sad
You ran from situations
That often got you mad
Over fields and meadows
Across grounds and streams
You went where the road lead you
With absolute glee
There were no markers to tell you
How far you had been
It was just you and your senses
Trying to judge where you had been
There were no watches to tell you
What pace you did take
Just breeze of the air
As it brushed your face
No phones and earplugs
No apps or music to listen to
Just the sound which nature provided you
The rustling of the breeze
The chirping of the birds in the trees
The joyful yelps of pet
And cheers of your friend
There were no races to be won
No podium to stand on
No medals to bite on
Once you were done
Just cheers and howls
of your friends who were around
Even though you ran out breath
But it's the joy that you felt
Breathing in nature
Telling you that you're alive
The years have gone by
What was fun now a passion
Complexing what you once knew
Your run is all about mileage
And maintaining a form and pace
Where your hand is
How your arms swing
How you lean forward
And where your foot meets the ground
You run on a track
Or on an empty road
But it's Your race that dictates
where you train
On a flat route or a slope
Up inclines and down declines
But holding on to the form
Keeping your hands
where they should be
Ensuring you're taking breaths
To coordinate with your strides
You race at a pace
As fast as you can
To achieve your best
Then post about it
And share it with all
Then preen and pose
For selfies and pics
And if it ain't your best
Blame the weather and your health
A niggling injury that flared up
Even a mismanaged race
Everything that can be blamed
Is sure to be blamed
Though running now is competitive
The passion burns bright
But that spirit that you ran with
Still lingers with you
Trying to burst out
Making you long to run with
No cares of the world
No form no technique
No pace to keep
Just you and the path you run on
All wild and free
