So I'm now convinced that it's true: running on a lovely trail is far more envigorating than running on city streets. Well, at least that was my experience today. Went out to Rockwood Park (one of the biggest urban parks in Canada and only a 5 min drive from my house) on a whim and just started following one of the trails. Managed to log in 8km (I somehow managed to stop my I-pod/Nike Plus running monitor for a good 10 minute stretch so I may have done more). I surprised myself by running a full 20 minutes before doing the walk bit. And I really had to walk then not because I was tired but because the hills were going straight up at that point. But after that I still managed another two 10 minute running spurts with walks in between - past two lakes, a hawk, a lady slipper....

Anyways, running as meditation - or at least contemplation meditation - makes much more sense in that context. There's a Runner's World article on that: "Transcendental Steps" - apparently the spiritual leader of Shambala Bhuddism is quite a runner. Who knew?