MY AGONIZING LOVE FOR RUNNING

What is it about running...

I despise 
starting again
enduring the slow burn of dormant muscles
reshaping themselves 
pushing forward

breathing hot, heavy air 
ripping fire through my lungs
panting, gasping, gulping

aching in my side, my knee, my calf
chanting in my brain
telling me to stop 
agonizing that I will

I love
the sights
the colors of the world overwhelming my vision
blue, green, red, orange, yellow
purple-skin, rainbow-mohawk, kilt-wearing freshmen 

the sounds
the noises of the world bombarding my ears
chirping, crashing, mowing, talking, driving
purple-skin, rainbow-mohawk, kilt-wearing freshmen laughter

the smells
the pungent odors of the world filling my nostrils
dirt, water, garbage, flowers, gasoline
purple-skin, rainbow-mohawk, kilt-wearing freshmen sweat

the magic
the ability to keep moving
through the world, through the pain, through the chanting
and find peace 
(even in a sea of purple-skin ,rainbow-mohawk, kilt-wearing freshmen)

What is it about running?