Given that it’s Groundhog Day and therefore I should repeat things, seriously, does anybody have an aspirin?
Aside from that, I suppose I should take a page from Edge of Tomorrow, and Live, Run, Repeat.
So despite not feeling great, I laced up my shoes and got out the door. Maybe I should have taken this as a rest day but the truth is I’m “resting” tomorrow and not running. I’m driving a lot, but I’m not running. And I’m not a streak runner by any stretch of the imagination but I do try and get out the door as much as I can.
Sometimes we have to do things that are hard. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t really want to do but need to do. It’s true in running and it’s true in life. If I felt this way during a race, I’d do my damndest to get to the finish line. I’d scrape, crawl, and push. And there may be sometimes when one shouldn’t… but more often than not, quitting can be far worse than pushing through. It’s a judgment call, when to push and when to call it a day… but in the end, I’m usually happier to have done something than to have not.
So it was that I went out today to do the run. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I was slow but I at least finished the route. I hit just about every red light imaginable, was nearly hit by three different cars at three different crosswalks (I had the right of way each time — a white-ish walking man indicating so). But I made it there and back again. I didn’t quit. And though I’m still not feeling great even with the endorphin boost, I’m no worse for sure. So there’s no harm or foul.
Besides, when I open my email inbox and see this, I’m reminded why I keep going out that door, pounding the pavement.
It’s a privilege and an honor. And I need to remember that when I’m feeling down and depressed about health, politics, life, existence.