Delights
Running delights, May 2022.
Well, it looks like a blank email arrived in a few inboxes. Not what I would call a delight, but it depends on how you look at it. Here's what you should have received for those staring at a blank page, waiting for something to happen.
Whether I'm outside with an increased heart rate trying to beat the sunset home, slowly sipping a steaming morning cup-of-coffee or pedalling two wheels toward my studio. I'll think about running - unconsciously - thoughts about running pass through my ears. Perhaps from what I've read that week, or ran past or daydreamed about while procrastinating. I'm never entirely sure where these snippets come from, but I like to write them down between note apps or journals. I think of them as running delights as they tend to make me smile for a moment and then carry on with my day.
Running delights, May 2022.
– I'm tripping over my foot as I pull my sock on, still half-naked, getting ready for a morning run.
– Running past a busker playing a heavy metal solo, my blood moves faster, and goosebumps stick up on my arms and down my back.
– In a room full of treadmills, everyone's feet hitting the conveyer belts simultaneously, house and techno play. It feels like the club.
– I'm in a dream, running, but I become frustrated because I'm lying down asleep, and you can't run in your dreams.
– I read people's post-marathon Instagram posts; they're in-depth and emotional accounts of their experiences. Kinda like poetry. I'd like to read these as a book.
– Squinting in a sunbeam as you run towards the east as the light peaks through buildings. Remember sunglasses next time.
– Heading towards a flock of grounded pigeons knowing they will fly all around you as you run through them. This feels like a movie or a street photograph.
– Sitting in the car, the lights go red. Seeing runners paused at the lights waiting for their turn to keep moving. A delight as they lean forward and continue on their route.
– During a 3km threshold workout, accelerating along the gravel path, James floats next to me at the same distance we'd sit having a beer with each other. Xavier is about three steps behind me. All I can hear is the crunch of the gravel, and the disjointed exhale we all press out of our lungs. This delights me.
A snippet of a series from a recent national championship racing event in Australia.
This has sparked a work in progress towards a larger body of work focussing youth and style within running culture.
Retreat - On our own we are slow, we must let go, We Run.
A joy of a film to direct and edit. Retreat made it to a couple of film festivals between Melbourne and Los Angeles. I look forward to directing more going forward.
As always, thank you for taking the time to discover a bit more about what I do and how I do it. And I love hearing from everyone who subscribes to this newsletter.
BC
mine for may 2022: discovering the new neighbourhood. let's run soon BC!
Really great, Ben. Ironically, as an image-maker you've managed to beautifully paint the picture, but with words. Running delights!