As the Crow Flies

the crow athletics newsletter | issue 24
curated by patrick caron

Dear Subscriber First Name,

When I started dreaming up both As the Crow Flies and The CAW, I had no idea how important these platforms would become in my life, nor did I anticipate how much time and energy would be put into them. Not only do they take a lot of care to curate, but they also give back to me in the ways in which they inspire personal reflection. Especially when reading and editing contributions for the blog, I find myself falling into contemplation, drawn by the musings on the page before me. I feel so much gratitude towards all the contributors for their willingness to ponder their thoughts and their lives intentionally and their strength in sharing these reflections with others. The work of self reflection is endless, essential, and a beautiful gift we can give ourselves. It allows us to exist with intention and grants us the opportunity to ask of ourselves meaningful questions about how we want to interact with the world. These are questions we never have to stop asking, either. Life is constantly changing, as are we. Why not move through life and all its changes with a curiosity for understanding ourselves and those around us?

The CAW

Have you read some of our recent posts on The CAW? We have several new ones to share! Samantha Leblanc, of Woburn, Massachusetts, explores the path she took to discovering running, and how in doing so, she became more in touch with herself. Sam Winebaum, of Rye, New Hampshire, talks about how several decades of running have crafted him into the person he is today, and what has contributed to such longevity in the sport. Madison O’Brien, of Bar Harbor, Maine, speaks to the evolution and diversification of her relationship with running since moving her practice away from the seriousness of competing and onto the freeing trails and mountains of Acadia National Park. And lastly, Keith Bourassa, of Keene, New Hampshire, takes us through his journey escaping addiction to substances, his introduction to the world of running, the outlet the sport has provided for his emotions, and the confidence the practice has gifted him. I hope you enjoy all of the wonderful words these authors have to share, and if you find yourself with questions or comments, don’t forget about the option to comment down at the bottom of each post!

Why I Run, The Longer Version by Samantha LeBlanc

“Running is always truthful and forgiving.”
Read More ➝

48 Years Running by Sam Winebaum

“I love exploring new places on the run.”
Read More ➝

Awakened Imagination by Madison O’Brien

“Running became my form of creative expression.”
Read More ➝

My Journey Into the Woods by Keith Bourassa

“It took a scared kid who used substances to kill his pain and escape life and turned him into a completely different individual.”
Read More ➝

Share your story!
If you have a story to share (and we all do!), we'd love to have your contribution. We have a submission form on The CAW's homepage, or you can email me directly with your ideas.

Crow Notes

• “For now, we wait. And in the meantime, every twilight brings a reminder that beauty is like energy: undestroyable, forever changed from one form to the next.” In “Beauty Charred,” by Martin Brodsky, he illustrates how within the ever evolving nature of existence, beauty always remains a constant. Where do you find beauty in your changing world?

• What lessons can you learn from running with kids?

Weekly Musing

Each week, I'll share with you a quote to reflect upon, one which speaks to us as runners, but more importantly, as humans. Spiritual teacher Ram Dass writes about how when existing purely in a space of love with no expectations, expressions of your affection will unfold naturally and with ease. Much like when embarking on a run, being immersed in the experience without expectations often brings a similar sense of simplicity and calm.

“The most important aspect of love is not in giving or the receiving: it's in the being.”

Ram Dass

Thanks for reading Issue 24 of As the Crow Flies by Crow Athletics. We encourage you to forward this email and share it with friends, family, and anyone else who may have interest!

If you’re new to subscribing, and don’t want to miss out on our past content, we now have a place on the Crow Athletics website where you can view all previous issues of the newsletter.

Also, if you have any comments or suggestions about the newsletter, or just want to start a conversation, feel free to reach out by simply replying to this email or connecting with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Be well and run gently,
Patrick