Four weeks until my 10K, and I have not been very consistent about running. I got 5 miles in this morning, my longest run since the half-marathon in September. At one point I was slogging northward, arguing with myself about whether to take a walk break, when I had a flash of insight: training requires me to sow suffering in order to reap joy. This race is SO much fun. It has delighted me both times I've run it, and I know I'll enjoy it more if I am better prepared.
I have vivid memories of running that stretch of trail three years ago in chilly spring winds. For all that a person tries to appreciate the forsythia and be grateful for her beating heart, sometimes she still finds herself wishing the time away. But I've experienced that payoff multiple times now: you push your body as far as you can prudently push it, and it adapts. About two-thirds of the way through today's run I hit a stretch where the running felt almost effortless. It felt exactly right. The feeling only lasted for 5 minutes or so, but it gives me hope for next time.
There are plenty of areas in my life where applying discipline, even when I'd prefer not to, allows me to reap worthwhile rewards. The transformation is particularly conspicuous with running, though: suffering today --> delight next month. It put me in mind of a medieval alchemist, striving to turn lead into gold. Except this is alchemy that actually works.
I know exactly what you mean, and these are good ways to think of it. Sowing and reaping, lead into gold.
I literally could not undeestand how a person could enjoy running until I had done it enough, and suffered enough for it, to discover the marvelous reality and existence of the "easy run." The first time I ever went for an easy run on a fine day it was as shocking as if I had spotted a unicorn on the path. I had heard tell of this thing, of going for a run and enjoying oneself, but secretly I had thought of the people who mentioned such things as probably either lying or not exactly right in the head. And then I put in enough work to discover it on my own.
Probably another metaphor there for you.
Posted by: bearing | March 26, 2017 at 04:26 AM