Monkey Mind

Good company silences the devil on every runner’s shoulder.

- Bruce Pinnock

THE PERKS OF RUNNING BY YOURSELF include the freeing of your soul, and becoming one with nature. But that’s only if it’s sunny, the birds are singing, and the heavens are in harmony with you.

There are other times when there just ain’t no sunshine – neither outside, nor in your life. The sun disappears behind a gun-metal-grey cloud, birds cease their song, and running heaven becomes running hell.

Then, just when you think you couldn’t feel any lonelier, a monkey appears on your shoulder. He’s an evil little sod who whispers negative comments, and loves nothing more than to remind you of the dark, empty room in your brain where you go to feel very, very sorry for yourself.

And that’s when running alone just ain’t gonna cut it.