The inspiration has come!

Mentally, I was dreading that 22 mile run yesterday, physically I was ready for it.  After nearly 45 minutes of either sitting in my car in the parking lot or driving to various parking lots, I was finally able to "just do it!"  I guess if you just put one foot in front of the other, eventually you'll go, so that's what had to be done. 

The sky was ridden with clouds, fog was rising from the ground, the wet air felt sticky on my skin, it seemed nature was all against me.  I began by heading south on the trail, one foot in front of the other, the legs moving steadily enough.  Holding steady to a slower pace, keeping strides even, watching the Garmin like a hawk to be sure I didn't push too hard, too fast, it was all good--it was working.  Sometimes you feel like you're a softly spoken violin playing in the midst of a rock band, other times you're chiming in with the symphony and you blend right in.  The run started out in the rock band phase.  The legs were heavy, the attitude was off, the air didn't agree with me, and I felt as if I didn't fit in. 

First mile marker, 8:50 pace, okay that's steady.  Feeling good, breathing well, complete silence all around in the middle of nowhere.  My mind began to wander. Wander to places in space that allow my body to flow into a rhythm that keeps cadence with the beat.  That rhythm, the gentle flowing rhythm, an effortless pace as cozy as a fleece blanket on a cold winter day.  That's where I was by mile 2, 3, 4....my happy place. 

As the legs continued to draw strength from calories, carbs, proteins consumed hours prior, the juices began to flow throughout my body and the mind decided to follow suit.  This was no longer an un-inspired, daunting, dreadful run but rather an enjoyable peaceful gallop.  Funny how the skies began to clear, the fog completely lifted, the birds began to sing their praises, and all was well with nature just shortly after this initial struggle.  Here's where my violin joined in the harmonic symphony playing Beethoven's fifth.  I have a song on my iPod, an old school song that I tend to enjoy when running through the woods--The Sound of Silence.  That's exactly where I was at, what I was enjoying at this point. 

The struggles I tend to feel during the marathon were not the ones I dealt with yesterday.  Even by miles 18, 19, 20, my mind continued to find joy and happiness in this long run.  Refusing to look at my watch, this tired old body continued to find strength to press on.  Yes, the mile markers appeared to be getting farther apart, but the legs just kept right on going.  21, 22...that's exactly where I wanted to be.  22 miles...22miles....22 miles.  Been there, done that, moving on.