Point of Know Return

If anyone is as old as I am and still listens to classic rock, you will know the song, Point of Know Return" by the rock group Kansas.  Interestingly, they use the word Know in the title instead of No.  Looking at the lyrics, the word "no" makes more sense.  Applying this to running the day I heard the song, to me, there is a point in a run where there is no looking back, the journey is steadily underway and you know that the finish is achievable and in sight.  Just now, I decided to do a little more "google" to see if anyone had analyzed the lyrics.  Behold, I found a blog that did just that.  The post is really well written and instead of me paraphrasing and messing it up, feel free to venture out to read it yourself in its entirety.  Actually, if you are into music, this looks like an excellent blog and well-written.  The analysis of this Kansas song is so good, I am going to quote a portion of it here.

Here’s where the album cover brings the meaning into focus. For generations, there was the false notion that once someone sailed past the horizon they sailed over the edge of the earth. Most Europeans incorrectly perceived that anyone who ventured to the vast unknown of the west never returned. Perhaps they didn’t want to return. The fact remains that the knowledge of what really was out there was never verified because of fear. Or in analogous terms, "How do you know that you do not like Brussels sprouts, unless you taste one?" 

When one ventures forward and gains knowledge through experience, there is no turning back. The point of “know return” is a point of “no return” to past ideas and experiences. It becomes similar to Kurt Lewin’s change theory. In the process of changing, we are constantly being challenged by our previously held perspectives and beliefs. Sometimes these challenges come from our friends and family who attempt to influence our path. These obstacles create great discomfort, as cognitive dissonance often accompanies change. Eventually, our mental anguish subsides as we cross that threshold of acceptance and sail over the imaginary edge of the earth.

Kansas places this perspective in form of an ocean voyage. Think of what the men aboard the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria during Columbus’ first journey to the Americas must have thought. These crew members had lived with the understanding that the world was flat, that there were great sea monsters roaming the Atlantic, and that by sailing too far west would constitute certain death. It is highly probable that family attempted to persuade these mariners to remain safe at home.

It really required a paradigm shift for these men to make this initial voyage. Until they were able to set foot upon dry land, the fears continued. That distant land was the point of know return. Old myths were shattered and new perspectives created. They could not return to their previous viewpoint as they crossed the point of know/no return.

So, let's apply this to running, and specifically marathons.  There is a mystique to the marathon that it goes beyond our capability.  In essence, this is true.  Our body can only carry enough fuel to run approximately 20 miles and then we start to degrade, unless we fuel appropriately during the marathon.  When people think of doing their first marathon, to them, it is like running off the flat edge of the Earth, never to be heard from again.  If they decide not to run a marathon before they try, the fact remains (as stated above) that the knowledge of whether they could or not remains unknown or never verified because of fear.  It applies to all running. If you fear that you can't run 1 mile or 2 or 5 or a half-marathon, how will you know you can't if you don't try?  Venturing forward a little at a time give confidence with each step.  With each step more experience is gained.  Once you know you can run a quarter mile or a half mile and experience that effort, you automatically learn to run farther.  Your body adapts to knowing what is expected of it. Then, there is no turning back.  The mind and the body fuels themselves.  The body changes and the mind gains confidence through experience.  Your ideas about running change and your perception of you as a runner changes.  Then, there comes that time where the mental anguish subsides. The point of "know" return becomes the point of "no" return.  You have sailed free over the edge of the Earth and on to new adventures in running.  One mile is not enough, it needs to be 2 or 5 or 13, 26 31, 50, or 100.  Each milestone has its own threshold and anguish to a new point of know (no) return.  Each distance creates a great discomfort but breaking through that point is the journey to a new running life (and some argue to a new life altogether.)  The old life and old way of thinking is shattered.  Beliefs change with what is known and there is no going back.  It is the point of know/no return.

Thanks to the author of the blog mentioned here.  It allowed me to put the meaning of the song into running perspective.  Of course, others can have their own interpretation of the lyrics related to any of life's adventures.

Days 168-171: 18 miles: 2014: 877 miles