I went out for my final training run on yesterday and decided to do the whole Half Route. It was great to be out on such a clean and crisp day and give me a chance to don my new Transition Bath running tee.
After the first 3 miles I started to really struggle. My mind was elsewhere on work and soon enough my legs became heavy. I had an energy gel in my pocket, but decided to solider on through. At mile 6 my legs felt like lead. So time was now for that little pick me up. After slurping it down I started to feel better. At the same time I realised my head for the first time was not in it.
Since I started training I have clocked up just over 280 miles over 35 hours of running and loved every minute of it. Those first 6 miles were really tough. On the back of my t-shirt it says "inspired to run, run to be inspired". I thought about this for a good mile and half and around 7.5 miles my feet became light, legs became springs and I began to smile. I completed the run with not a lot left in me, but did smash my personal best completing the course in 1:49.
I realised on the second loop round that one of the reasons for this was the lack of preparation. All my other runs have started with a 5 to 10 minutes of meditation and stillness to visualise and bring my body into a more connected space with the Earth, my surroundings and the often cold air that I will be breathing. It is through this connectedness and enjoyment at the sense of being free that spurs me on, that keeps me moving. Running to me has become like surfing and mountain biking. Unlocking the flow to be part of the here and now and enjoying the sense of movement, the release from the chaos and hustle of the busy life and being in the now. The only thing that matters is keeping one foot in front of the other.
This is is an adventure in running. And for me, it has only just begun.... Here is to loving to run. Here is to running to love.
