Those were my famous last words before I took off on my run today. What was supposed to be an easy 10 miles turned into one of the most time-consuming runs I have ever completed. I generally "write" my blogs while I am running. Training for 2-5 hours daily gives a girl a lot of time to contemplate everything from the meaning of life to what I am going to have for dinner.
Growing up in Washington has made me love the rain...ok, some days I love the rain - only because running in the rain is one of my favorite things to do. It is exhilarating, cleansing, exciting, and calming all at the same time. Wind and hail on the other hand are two of my most hated elements on this planet. My first 5 miles were perfect. I was soaked to the bone and my hands were turning purple from the cold but I was in heaven. My next 5 miles were not as enjoyable to say the least. The wind picked up and I was battling to keep up a 15 minute mile against it. Then to add to my expedition, hail mixed in with the rain and wind. I was being shot from all angles and there wasn't a thing I could do about it except keep running.
I stopped in at the coffee shop where my car was parked when I finally finished this grueling run. A cop approached me while I was waiting for my drink and said, "I saw you running out there, why on earth would you do that?" I had snot running down my face, my hair was a tangled mess, my clothes were making a nice puddle on the floor, and I was smiling from ear to ear. I have been asked that many times. Why on earth would I do something that causes pain and takes hours upon hours of devoted time? My answer: I do it because I can. I wasn't born with any innate talent. I have never been naturally gifted at anything. I have always had to work extremely hard to succeed and the only way i have known to succeed is to try harder than anyone else. My strongest quality is that I never give up and fortunately running is one activity where being stubborn as a bull is a good thing. It suits my personality. I have hit some of my highest highs and lowest lows while running. It is straightforward - if you devote time to your training then you are guaranteed to improve. Few things in life are as guaranteed as seeing your physical improvements over time due to how much blood, sweat, and tears you have given.
I am wholly fulfilled. Most people never get there. They are afraid or unwilling to demand enough of themselves and take the easy road, the path of least resistance. But struggling and suffering are the essence of life worth living. If you are not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not constantly demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you are choosing a numb existence. You are denying yourself an extraordinary trip.
"Because I can," I said to the officer. "You must be crazy," he said. With a big smile I replied, "absolutely."
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