​This morning I was chatting with a friend who ran the Blackall 50km in gruelling hot conditions on the weekend. 
Before the race I suggested him to go back to "running form" any time his mind started to wonder, or anything external (heat, climbs, ..) bothered him, or simply if he started to feel tired, slow, unmotivated. As it always happens. 
He thanked me this morning.

When you concentrate on your running form, you bring your attention back to your body. Pay attention to your posture, the rhythm of your breath, and the cadence of your steps. Feel the earth beneath your feet and the subtle shifts in your muscles as they work in harmony to propel you forward.

By staying present in your body through running form, you become one with your run. The mind-chatter fades, the world blurs around the edges, and you enter the magical realm of flow. It's a place where each step feels effortless, and you're in complete harmony with your surroundings.

​Some days, I find myself operating at a heightened level of productivity. Everything just seems to click—tasks flow effortlessly, my mind is clear, and I can focus entirely on one thing at a time. Most importantly, it brings me great pleasure.

I haven't quite pinpointed the precise cause of this state of mind, but I do know it's closely tied to waking up early in the morning and embarking on an long training session. There's something profoundly satisfying about achieving so much while the world still slumbers, earning my breakfast for the day. It's like my way of priming my body and mind, supercharging my day.

This is a relatively new phenomenon for me. It wasn't always the case. I'm still adapting, especially to the idea that I now consider calling it a night when just a few years ago, at the same hour, I hadn't even thought about dinner plans. 
Well, I suppose I've officially traded in the Italian gene for an Aussie one, and I couldn't be prouder of this transformation.

​The long-term vision is the lighthouse guiding me through the mist of my aspirations. 
Reaching the summit of mount Kosci, running with strength at the best of my capabilities while maintaining internal peace, is what keeps the fire in my belly burning. 
But the short-term execution is the practical side of my dreams. It's about taking one step at a time, day by day, with no room for excuses or complaints—just relentless action.

What I cherish most about the communities built around sports is the self-imposed accountability. Whether it's in the world of running, cycling, swimming, weightlifting, golfing, or any other pursuit, there comes a moment when you no longer need a nudge to get out there and train. In fact, it's quite the opposite. You eagerly embrace the challenge.

For me, this is an intentional grasp at life and passion. Through actions, we reveal and express our true priorities and beliefs. 

The things I think about when running..
​
You truly become a man when you wholeheartedly embrace ownership of the person you are, the decisions you make, the words you speak, and the beliefs you hold, even to the most profound extent.
This transformation isn't always easy because it requires you to let go of the opinions of others that may have had a hold on you, and to reexamine the framework you've grown up with, a framework that's often deeply ingrained in your life and your perception of the world. It's a challenging and uncomfortable process. It sucks really. But it's a crucial step in recognizing that you are enough. You can define your own authentic values and ultimately set yourself free.

​"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle delves into the idea of living in the present moment, shedding the burdens of the past and anxieties about the future. It emphasizes the profound peace and enlightenment that can be found by fully immersing oneself in the 'now.' It's not a light read—or listen, in my case. I've been at it for 6 months now, as most of the concepts expressed cause internal churn and turmoil of emotions.

Luckily for me, running provides an ideal platform to practice "the power of now." Even before tackling this book, I was aware that running served as my moving meditation, a chance to experience the present moment in all its raw, unfiltered beauty—mainly because the mental chatter and clutter automatically turn off after a few hours! This book has helped me understand why that is important and appreciate the many unreal structures my mind puts in place.

This morning, perhaps affected by the lack of coffee, catching myself was easier than usual. I celebrate this little victory and also wonder, what if I could run like this during long races? To what extent would that silence the perception of discomfort, fatigue, cold, heat, hunger, thirst, ...