Easy is not trying, hard is irrelevant, and can't is possible

Here's my thought for the day. It's not going to change the world as I had hoped, but maybe it will stir up a little thought. I believe the hardest thing about getting in shape or running distances is knowing what feeling "tired" means. It doesn't mean you have to stop. When people run, they get "tired." When distance runners feel that same feeling of "tired," they don't give it a second thought. They know what they are capable of, and feeling tiredness, discomfort, or agony, is just part of the process. Elite distance runners and endurance athletes regularly experience pain during their workouts that we probably couldn't imagine. It is impossible to discover your true capabilities without experiencing these feelings.

I have been out running numerous times (especially when I'm just starting to get back into shape for something) and convinced myself that I'm dying and need a rest or walk-break, but after stopping for just a second I feel fine. I didn't need a rest, I just thought I did. I just wasn't accustomed to the feeling of "tired." Tired doesn't mean you have to stop, it is just a way you feel sometimes. In reality, I just wasn't committed, wasn't aware of my true abilities, and didn't reach my goal. It makes me a little angry just thinking about this.

Maybe people spend too much time trying to avoid any kind of discomfort in life. Pain, discomfort, and suffering happens to everyone. They are parts of life just like everything else. We don't have to welcome and celebrate these bad feelings, but maybe we should appreciate them a little more instead of just trying to avoid them. More often than not, each "bad" feeling we experience holds a lesson that we have yet to learn. Both good things and bad things happen everyday -- but almost always, even the bad things turn out to be good things in the end.

I am hesitant to re-read this post because I'm sure it is a rambling mass of confusion. Sorry.

*** Last night I ran 6.8X miles in 1:00:XX, with three half mile fartleks in the middle. This morning I got up and rode my bike for 45 minutes before work. I have a hard cycle trainer workout on tap for tonight.

Out.