More Than Running…

The New Normal

Posted on January 25, 2013. Filed under: Running | Tags: #mind body connection, #running, balance, challenge, change, fitness, goals, gratitude, half marathon, health, inspiration, marathon, mental discipline, mental-health, mind/body connection, morethanrunning, running, self discipline |

Last Sunday I ran ten miles. Ten. Miles.

To some of my friends ten miles is like a walk to the mailbox. To others it might as well be an ultramarathon. To me it’s incredible.

When I started training for a half marathon eight weeks ago my long run was five miles. Frankly, I was terrified. My friend offered to do my first long run with me, bless her heart, as long as–in her words–it was under fifteen miles. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or vomit. The thought of five was scary enough.  Anything approaching double digits seemed impossible.

Now, I run five miles in the middle of the week. And it’s almost like a walk to the mailbox.

This Sunday I get to run ten miles. Again. Ten. Miles.

I’m sure I can beat last Sunday’s time because I plan to eat better this Saturday than I did last. My mother always told me that Cheetos are not a dinner food.  I’m not sure she actually qualified it with “dinner,” come to think of it. Don’t tell her I said this, but she’s right.  Cheetos don’t seem to sustain endurance or supply energy, even if they do stain your fingers a fine shade of day-glow orange that might actually help make runners more visible to cars.  Nevertheless, Cheetos won’t be on my menu this weekend.

One of the beautiful things about running:  I’m my own biggest competitor. I just want to do better than I did the week before so that what’s normal is always new.

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