Just Put in the Miles

Today was another run day, the 4th run day of this 35-run journey.  Nothing remarkable about today's run.  A 2-miler, which I did at 9:40 pace (pretty good for me these days).  But it brought me one run closer to my goal.  It's hard to believe that a 2 mile run on a Tuesday in May will help me run 13.1 miles in early August, but I trust the plan.

In recent days, I've thought about a couple of key truths about running ... and, in turn, about life.  First, when you run, it is vitally important to stay in the moment.  When I'm feeling tired 1.5 miles into a 2 mile run, I don't waste time thinking things like, "How am I ever going to run 6 miles in a few weeks?"  I stay in the moment.  Slowing down for a few minutes to gather strength.  Pushing through the last quarter mile.  Savoring the discomfort of a tough hill as an investment in my overall fitness.  Whatever the journey throws at me in that moment, just savor it for what it is.  Don't get ahead of yourself or obsess about the past, either.  These next few steps are all I can run right now.

Second, it is important to simply put in the miles.  This is especially true of long run days.  Those days are less about pace and more about putting time in on your feet.  But I think it can also be true of shorter runs, too.  Some days, you just don't have the energy.  Some days, you just get in your own head and can't shake the anxiety about life.  It happens.  Don't quit.  Just do the reps.  If you have to walk a bit, that's fine.  If you need to go slow, no worries.  If you suddenly feel energized and want to go a few blocks a bit faster, that's OK as well.  But put in the miles.

I'll let you connect your own dots on how those two thoughts about running connect with your own life.  But I will close with this: may God strengthen you for your own journey, that you might remain mindful of the gift of this moment and the importance of simply putting in those miles (literally or figuratively!).

P.S. - If you have news of your own journey to share, feel free to leave a comment.  Fitness.  Relationships.  Life.  It all mashes together in this blog anyway!

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