Today I ran a taper run of 6 miles. The miles were solid. Strong. My endurance was steady and my stamina was surprisingly on target considering some health challenges I've been facing. As I ran, I picked up strength. Power. Endurance. Stamina. Motivation. Determination. Honestly, there was a power and grit in those 6 miles that I haven't felt in a long time. I've hit and gone below the goal weight I've wanted to reach a week before game day. Lighter runners are more efficient runners.
Every runner experiences it. A love/hate relationship with running. When you run and things are going well, then all's right with the world. When you are running and you are facing challenges? Well, let's just say that you face many demons along the way. Taunting you. In 5 years of running I have gone toe to toe with more than a few demons. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a fighter and I have fought those demons. All the way.
As I was running today, I was listening to one of the songs on my playlist, "Love Me Again" by John Newman. I was listening to the words of the song and I was thinking of the love/hate relationship runners often have with the run. I relate a lot of things to running. If you have a problem, a challenge, something taunting you to back off of running or a health issue preventing you from running...the run is almost asking, "Can You Love Me Again?" I always tell people I have found with running you either love it or hate it. There's no in between.
I've had a few tough challenges along the way, just like all runners. Every year, I say I'm not going to do another half marathon. But, every year I do. I am drawn to the long distance runs. I have learned so much about myself since becoming a runner. As a runner, I am definitely a lone wolf. I have gone places on the runs...physically...mentally...emotionally that I never thought I could go. You figure out a lot of things when you're running hundreds of miles. You find strength you never knew you had. There are times I swear I'm not going to do a long distance race again...times I think I am such a fool...think I'm crazy...but then, the run. It calls me. It calls me back. "Can you love me again?"
The Run. It gives me something that nothing or noone can match. And it asks for nothing in return.
John Newman - Love Me Again.
