I’ve been rereading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

I’ve always loved the opening of the story. Here’s Bilbo Baggins—an ordinary hobbit living in his cozy home under the hill, surrounded by food, a soft bed, and a warm fire. He spends his days close to home with no desire to go anywhere. Life in the Shire suits him just fine.

Then Gandalf shows up—along with thirteen dwarves, a map, and tales of adventure, dragons, and stolen treasure.

Even though Bilbo insists he’s content, something deep inside him stirs. It’s small at first—a flicker of curiosity—but it grows. Against every sensible instinct, he steps out his front door and into an adventure that will change his life.

I have friends who never read fiction. They say it’s a waste of time—that only nonfiction books about personal development or history are worth reading. I like those books too, but fiction offers something different. It gives us a chance to live inside another world and, at the same time, see more clearly into our own.

Tolkien seemed to understand that all of us have that same spark somewhere inside—the part that wants to do something different, to take a chance, to see what’s beyond the comfortable routine.

I remember when I was in my twenties and not running at all. A coworker mentioned she had just finished the Boston Marathon, and I thought, that’s amazing. I didn’t act on it right away—it took years—but that single conversation planted a seed.

You never know when your own Gandalf will appear. A friend. A story. A race. A small idea that won’t leave you alone. Notice it when it appears. Because once you take that first step, your world only gets bigger.

Best wishes on chasing your running goals,
George