Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Running



Running is so personal for me. It is about being strong. About living. About being alone and pushing through. It is about resting if you must, but not giving up.  It is the place where I can think, uninterrupted. It is a place of reflection; a place looking forward; a place of being present.

It is also a benchmark of progress. It is linear, something I can control. Of putting forth effort to be better, faster. 

The first time I ran Spunky Canyon, straight up a mile and a half and back, it was hard. I don't think I could run the entire time. It was a mind-fuck. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep moving forward. Rest if you must, but don't quit. bla bla bla.



Stats:
Date: May 8, 2013
Distance: 3.12 mi
Duration: 35m51s
AvePace: 11:30 min/mi
Ascent 248 feet



Today.
Stats:
Date: April 6, 2016
Distance: 3.0 mi
Duration: 30m17s
AvePace: 10:06 min/mi
Ascent: 246 feet

I wanted so badly to get under the 30 minute mark, but I just could not do it. I forget sometimes how far I have come. That shaving off 5 minutes 34 seconds in 3 miles is a lot and that if I keep at it, I will hit that sub 10 minute pace on this god-forsaken street called Spunky Canyon that goes up 248 feet. 

And then a reality check. I PR'd on a mile. Today. On this run. On a hill to boot. Not a flat track.


When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
Whe he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.