Sheryl sent me this really neat article on Sarah Palin. Now, before you go — “ZOMG! I thought Sharool hated that woman, why is she reading about her!” — the article was posted on Runner’s World (August 2009, issue) and it covers SP’s running exploits.

There’s one quote that I liked the best, though and I thought it sums up running events (and sports in general):

Oh, thank God, [running is] nonpartisan. It doesn’t matter your background, your demographics, your race, your political affiliation—it’s such a uniting, healthy, fun, awesome activity. It cracks me up going to some running event and seeing some dude who campaigned so hard against me, or a lady who’s been blogging some mean comments about me. But we’re all there together and we’re smiling and we’re having a good time because we’re going to do something healthy and active. We need more of that. That’s what sports are able to do. It’s a wonderful kind of diversion from the divisiveness that is politics or that is life.

I guess one of the reasons why I’ve stuck to running — despite feeling bored when I first started running, I found the value in the peace one gets whilst running (i.e., you’re alone with your thoughts). Of course, it’s a welcome change when you’re running whilst chatting up a storm with someone, but ultimately, when else can you go out for 30 minutes without uttering a word and becoming fully aware with yourself leaving some of the stress of daily life behind. When I used to do my training runs at and around Palos Verdes soaring above the Pacific Ocean to my right, I’d like just marvel at the beauty of nature… and that’s just in PV.

Oh, and I wish my mum was more active. She’s a smoker and doesn’t do any real exercise unless she’s walking around a mall… shopping! LOL.