I set out tonight to run 8 miles and my "normal" pace, which is the same thing I did yesterday. But to start, I didn't feel like spending so much time tonight running (after all, I have a blog to work on now!) and in general just wasn't feelin' the distance. So I decided I'd just do 6 miles. Immediately I felt disappointed in myself for not accomplishing what I set out to do.
But then I changed my perspective. What did I need to do to feel like I accomplished something and still didn't have to run the miles? goFaster. But 'fast' isn't exactly my strong point. I set out in the warm, Florida sun to get in my 6 miles.
Two miles in my pace was much faster than I expected and I was tempted to slow it down to ensure I'd finish. Then I wondered - what would it matter if I didn't finish? I'm not wearing a bib, there aren't any spectators, this isn't an event - this is training. This is the time to test and push my limits. If I crawl back to the car - so what? So the bargaining began; If I could keep up my current pace, I would feel proud to finish 5 miles. And off I went.
Three and a half miles in, the volume of my panting started to overtake the music pumping into my ears, my legs started to throb, I somehow gained 20 pounds, and the sun began to feel like a flame thrower! My mind began to tell me this was too fast, too hot, I was too tired, and I should stop, stop now! Honestly, I almost listened.
This is where the fun begins. I remind myself that I've been challenged before - and overcome. I remind myself that I can do this - and how great it feels when I do. I dig deeper. I find some upbeat music and I tell myself "just make it to the corner". When I make it, I realize I still have something left and tell myself "just make it to the shade ahead"... and I do. Before I know it, I've finished the 5 miles at a pace I would never have though possible today - albeit this really was all I had!
What initially seemed a physical limitation turned out to be a mental challenge. One I was able to overcome to feel accomplishment in the end. The distance became secondary. Accomplishment is not measured in miles or speed, but in a challenge overcome.
goAccomplish!
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