As the Crow Flies

the crow athletics newsletter | issue 21
curated by patrick caron

Dear Subscriber First Name,

Recently, my friend and I were engaged in a discussion about identity. What does it mean to call ourselves runners? What does it mean for someone else to call us a runner? Is there a distinction between these two statements? How do we find and create our identities on our own, especially when we are continually influenced by those around us?

There is an essence within each of us that is who we are. And this essence is like a through line in a story; no matter what happens in the story, there will always exist this one constant.

There is a part of us who experiences every changing moment, who has experienced every changing moment since the day we were born, and who will continue to experience those moments. This word “runner” that we attach to ourselves, or any other identifier for that matter, isn’t necessarily what establishes our essence, but it is what our essences are drawn towards.

Many people I know struggle to identify as runners, yet they are telling me they’re not runners while we are sharing a run. Being a runner means whatever we want it to mean, and regardless of the distance, the duration, or the frequency of our runs, we can be confident and proud in claiming our running identities. For some, they feel as if identifying as a runner boxes them into one way of life. The fact is, though, being a runner is just one aspect of many of our lives, and there are a whole plethora of ways in which we can identify ourselves. You can be a runner, a father, a friend, a musician, a sailor, and a storyteller all at the same time, and not one of those identities has to trump the other. In fact, all of these micro identities help make up the one, unique identity that is each of us in any given moment.

And remember, our identities are not permanent. Our experiences don’t define us, but they are constantly providing us with the opportunity to discover new parts of ourselves, and as we continue to evolve and learn, our identities continue to develop. All prior moments are past versions of ourselves. In a way, we are only who we are in the present moment. Let us appreciate who we are today, and embrace the next version of ourselves tomorrow.

The CAW

Have you read our latest post on The CAW? Becca Pizzi writes about the many places running has brought her, and the mindsets that have allowed her to achieve the goals she sets for herself. She is someone who doesn’t let fear hold her back, and who chooses to “dream big” in life. I hope you enjoy Becca’s words!

Becca’s Feat on Feet by Becca Pizzi

“In this journey, I learned to be brave and take chances.”
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

• “It’s a cycle, no step skipped and no element disregarded. Every piece is important.” Professional runner Zach Miller shares his thoughts on how the American landscape reminds him of the cycle of run training. There is a time and a place for all the different contours and features of the land, just as there is a time and a place for all the many components of a successful training program.

• “There is nothing I love more than unplugging from the world, especially these days, and spending the entire day and night or more in the great outdoors with my family.” Lisa Jhung writes about how camping and trail running go hand in hand, and how to combine the two the next time you break out the sleeping bags and tents!

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. Novelist, essayist, literary critic and university professor John Gardner speaks to meaning and how we can create it within our lives.

"Meaning is not something you stumble across, like the answer to a riddle or the prize in a treasure hunt. Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of your own past, out of your affections and loyalties, out of the experience of humankind as it is passed on to you, out of your own talent and understanding, out of the things you believe in, out of the things and people you love, out of the values for which you are willing to sacrifice something. The ingredients are there. You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life. Let it be a life that has dignity and meaning for you.”
John Gardner

Thanks for reading Issue 21 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