As I was walking home with Shane on Sunday, I started noticing all the little pathways available to us if we we wanted to venture off the most travelled routes. The following poem came to mind and it teased me torturously all the way home because I forgot who the author was until looking it up on Google.
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (1874–1963)
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Literal Interpretation: My favorite of all the interpretations – Personal Freedom and Independence.
The poem’s last lines, where the narrator declares that taking the road “less traveled by” has “made all the difference,” can be seen as a declaration of the importance of independence and personal freedom. “The Road Not Taken” seems to illustrate that once one takes a certain road, there is no turning back. Although one might change paths later on, the past cannot be changed. It can be seen as showing that choice is very important, and is a thing to be considered. And that you will never know what the other path was like, so you may regret never knowing (the sigh), although it was still worth it because you made the right choice by knowing that you were able to exercise your personal freedom and independence.
I love to run in the woods. There is something about being surrounded by leaves and trees and unpaved pathways that quiets the mind and relaxes the body.
Since I don’t wear head phones and it’s only me and Shane, the only noise is the gentle foot falls as we progress along the path or the distant crack of leaves and twigs as the squirrels and deer bolt from our view.
As the weather gets warmer, we will be able to take these paths as we run early in the morning because the light will guide our way.
For another couple of weeks, we’ll just look along the paths wondering what mysteries await our discovery.
Do you prefer to run cross country or on paved roads?
Last weeks total miles: 34.88 running miles.
This week the work out schedule looks like this:
Monday: 40 min. TM run (4.5 miles) + 25 min. weights (back & triceps) + 3.31 mile run with Shane. Total run: 7.81 mils Tuesday: 55 min. CT + 25 min. weights + 40 min. walk with Shane. Wednesday: 12 mile run Thursday: 30 min. CT + 45 min.weights (to make up for not doing it Wed. and in order to have Fri. off) + 30 min. run will Shane. Friday: Just walking with the pup. Saturday: 60 minute run. Sunday: Whatever. |
What’s your workout plan? If you don’t workout, share your planned eats with us.
Joanne
what a great path! I love running on trails – so much easier on the knees!
.-= Simply Life´s last blog ..Eggs, Toast and FREE Ice Cream! =-.
Simply Life: It sure is and it’s more interesting.
I love that poem. One of my favorites and a good reminder!
.-= ShutupandRun´s last blog ..20 Miler Report – Not So Pretty =-.
What beautiful words you put to the page this morning, Joanne … and loved the poem too! It’s a great way to look at those different pathways beckoning to you & Shane, and happily content are you knowing you’ll traverse those trails one day soon. Thanks for the lift, it was just what I needed this morning.
Enjoy the day!
n j
Shut up and run: I felt like an idiot forgetting who wrote it. It’s a classic! I think it may be because my feet are getting faster but my brain is getting slower. It’s a trade off.
Nancy: Everyone needs that Monday lift. It’s the toughest day of the week for most of us. Glad you were able to get it from my blog 🙂
oh that is one of my favorite poems!
i prefer trail running to street running for sure 🙂
have a great monday lady!
Kalli: Thanks.
I love that Shane can go so far with you! And that Frost poem…love it! It hung in my parents bedroom, framed since forever.
I am running tonight and tomorrow night, Wednesday off, and running Thursday with Friday off. Run Saturday and hockey game on Sunday. I’ll garden and walk the puppy a few times in there, too. My runs have been 4-7 miles lately, so I’ll get in some 4’s and some 6’s…and probably an 8 or 9 on Saturday 🙂
.-= Nicole. RD´s last blog ..garden woes and dinner wow’s! =-.
What a nice place to run. You can almost see the frost as you breathe.
.-= Lanine Bradley´s last blog ..Top Ten Reasons I will never be a Runner. =-.
Nicole: Wow! Great workout schedule. You’ll relish being able
to sitwhile enjoying the excitement of that hockey game by the time Sunday rolls around. Whoops! Nicole is PLAYING that hockey game. Go Nicole!Lanine: It was actually warmer but you are right (38 F), the photos sure pick up the cool air. No colors yet around here. Maybe in a couple of weeks…we hope.
Late on reading all your entries and this is a beautiful poem and great interpretation. You and Shane have great view running no need for ipods and blarring music.