Necropolis

Italy: I had no idea what a necropolis was or what one looked like, but I was curious. I had to check it out, so I decided to run there.

I ran past olive groves, vineyards, cows with huge bells around their necks, and farmers on tractors — towards the Adriatic Sea and the seaside cliff where the “city has of the dead” was located. When I reached the cliff, I saw shallow indentations carved into the ground and up the sides of the cliff. They were empty but years ago they held the remains of hundreds of men, women, and children. This was their final destination.

I slowed down and then stood still for several moments, gazing into the empty tombs. Suddenly my awareness focused entirely on my breath. All I could hear was my breathing! All I could think was, “one breath.” The only difference between me and the former inhabitants of the necropolis was a single breath!

At that moment, standing in that place, I realized how truly wonderful it was to be alive and breathing! Taking a breath is the first thing we all do at birth and the last thing we all do as we die. In between birth and death, each breath is new and different. Each breath marks a specific moment in time, a specific location in space, and a specific experience in life. Each and every breath in this one, precious life is a treasure.

I ran to the necropolis several more times while I was in Italy. The hours, kilometres, and breaths “spent” running to and from that destination were priceless. The “city of the dead” inspired my running mantra, “first … last.” It was the time and place that taught me the importance of living in the moment, step-by-step … one breath at time.

"I don't run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days." - Ronald Rook