Blessed are we who suffer, for we are the lucky ones.
I was running today in peace that only comes on a weekend morning, running the first 5 miles of my usual weekend 12-miler, and I was struck by something strong enough to pull me out of my blogging silence. I was tired, my body was working hard to keep on the pace I was pushing it, I was trying to push myself, to suffer a bit. As I came up a shallow hill (Singapore standards), I saw another runner approaching, shirt off, running smoothly down the trail ahead of him, not fast but not slow either. He looked to be about mid-50s, healthy, vibrant. When we were nearly to one another I noticed that in his chest, just about his heart, pressing out under the skin was a pacemaker. I went around the corner before I allowed myself a reaction. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I was overwhelmed by one simple thought. Gosh, we're lucky. We runners, we distance runners, endurance athletes, elites and everyone in between. It was one of those moments where I was suddenly filled with graciousness to be able to go out day after day and push myself, work hard and suffer. Here I mean suffering like we do, whether it is the final 5 miles of a 21 miler or like today, running mile 11.5 @ approximately 8/mile hr pace. It is beautiful. That man, whoever he was, was running for his life, literally. And we, each in our own way, are too. Whether it is physically, emotionally, mentally, the things we experience as we plod, sprint, cruise, crawl, bound along seep out into our lives. It changes our lives, it can't not. I carried my body through the streets, with a smile on my face and pushed myself with the joy of someone who at least for a moment, understands suffering and that when it is chosen like this, how much it brings to our lives.
I have been putting a half-hearted effort with the posts lately, so I thought I'd spend a little more than 3 minutes posting something up.
11.5 fairly speedy miles. A happy morning, FINALLY!!
1 comment:
This one is too good, i just read the blogs today. I think it very well describes the satisfaction after a long-long run... Your blogs are making me motivated to stretch my self .. more.. hopefully will run extra 2-3 miles next weeknd..
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