There are some days when the weather hates you - the rain comes down sideways and slices into every nook and cranny, the wind is determined to stop your every step, and the clouds press in close and heavy, threatening never to let the sun shine again. I love those days - it awakens something in me that confronts the wildness of nature and will not be beaten. My legs move faster and my smile only grows larger.
Then there are days when your body hates you. Not just your muscles, heavy and full of acid, slowly, slowly churning block after block under your lead feet, each step a decision. Not just your lungs, seemingly half their normal size, refusing to breathe in sweet oxygen. But something deep inside of you is tired and doesn't want to move. Your brain fights your need to make the miles. The tiredness of your soul that demands in a pathetic and yet powerful voice "Go home! Cut the run short! WALK!" These are not days of joyful running. They are the days when you know it is becoming discipline. Where you hold the one thread of memory that reminds you it's worth it. And when you're done, when you haven't quit early, when you have refused to give into that voice, you know yourself a little better. You know that you can go further. You know there is more to you than you thought. I don't want these days but I love them. They teach me how to move through life.
1/20:
6 mi, 8:17/mi
Along Fairmount to the river, back along Villard to Fairmount and home. Hard, afternoon run. Woke up at 5am for appointment and late night before. Rest is important in the training!
No comments:
Post a Comment