Keep going

This morning I ran around a lake with beautiful trees. I was a bit worried that I was pushing too much because I ran 3 miles only 11 hours ago. But I wanted to make the most of my time at the lake and test my running again. So I ran the whole lake.

It was less hilly than my usual path. The overcast sky cast no harsh sunlight into my eyes. The conditions were favorable for a good run. The lake path was still pretty big though, so I did the best I could.

I kept tempting myself. ‘There is a hill before your finish line. Why don’t you walk it if you get too tired? Your stomach feels a little weird. Why don’t you stop at the bathroom?’

I put my head down and keep running.

The surrounding nature and its beauty and quirks usually distract me (which is why it takes about an hour and half for me to walk this lake), but I tried my best to ignore it. It’s really fun to notice all the wildlife along the way, but I learned recently that it is also a beautiful thing to keep going my way and let others do the same.

I see the end. There it is. Just a little more. Just a little more.

I actually ended up running a little more past my actual starting point. I did it! I ran around the lake without stopping or walking. What a way to start the day!

I checked my time. I started at 7:43 am and finished at 8:14am. That’s 31-32 minutes.

To my small disappointment, I didn’t know this at first, but the lake turned out to be 2.5 miles. I thought I ran about the same distance as my usual. Nevertheless, that means that I run 12.8 minutes per mile. That’s a little worse than my best time yesterday.

That’s okay. I ran enough within 24 hours already.

I am happy enough with the beautiful lake and the proud run.

I keep going.