Hello there! Welcome back to my summer writing challenge.
Today I decided to switch it up and sat in a coffee shop (that’s not the big change) AND set a timer for 10 minutes for a special free-writing session.
This is what I came up with:
Hi! (I don’t know why but I often start my writings with an introduction).
But, Hi! How are you?
This morning I ran 10 miles and it was truly difficult. At around 8 miles, my legs simply quit. They decided that though my brain determined that 10 miles was the destination for today 8 miles would be juuuuust fine. Pushing past what felt like my physical limit was grueling.
Last week, I also ran 10 miles. However, this week, I finished 20 minutes faster despite being caught in a flash flood that left me soaked from head to toe. My squishy shoes, soaking wet hair, drenched clothes, destroyed headphones and thoroughly saturated phone did not hold me back from finishing the 10 miles.
4.5 miles into the run, I took a picture of the approaching dark clouds. 5 miles in, showers began. First, sideways rain pressed against my headphones with heavy droplets then a sudden downpour of rain began to shape my 5th mile. 6 miles in, my amazing husband stopped by to provide temporary shelter so I could wring out my socks and dry off my eyelashes lol.
Running long distances is teaching me how to release control of tough situations. The hardest parts of the run for me are miles 1 to 3, when I have more distance to cover than I’ve already covered and miles 7 to 9, when the end simultaneously feels immensely close and incredibly far.
I’m also still learning to trust my body. I’m learning that my mind is often lying to me and will press the eject button as soon as possible just to end the suffering but I’m so much more capable than my negative thoughts give me credit for.
Last week’s 10 miles was incredibly fatiguing because I did an awful job of pacing myself. Last week I ran mile 1 the way I was supposed to run mile 9 and it made me stop multiple times which inevitably prolonged the already difficult experience and made it just that much more difficult. Today I did a much better job of checking-in with myself and not allowing my desire to cover the distance as quickly as possible to dictate my ability to run the right way. Constantly thinking about the end, forced me to rush the beginning instead of just being grateful for where I was and how far I’d already come.
My take-aways are these:
- I will be more present
- I will trust myself more
- I can do hard things
- I am worthy of a slow start; a patient warm-up prepares you for a healthy and sustainable long run
Have you done anything hard recently? Don’t forget to reflect on your win (small or big) and pat yourself on the back…you deserve it.
Xoxo
see ya tomorrow
The Introvert's Escape Maneuver 