patience practice

one thing runners often don't think to appreciate is the fact that you really learn to be patient in one of the most difficult ways possible:  being patient with yourself.
sometimes, you're out there and you feel like a million bucks and all you want to do is just keep running, keep going forever and ever.  but then a twinge of discomfort reminds you that you overdid it last time you felt this way and should probably take it easy this time.


or, you're out on a long run and you just don't have the energy you think you should by now.  it's hard to get through even the first mile and you wonder what the heck is wrong with you.


it's those times that I've realized... one of the hardest things about running for me is that I've had to learn exactly what I'm capable of.  I can't rush it.  I have to wait and listen sometimes.


Today I ran three miles.
It.  Was.  Awesome.







There's this little patch of sand in the curb of the loop I take... It's exactly one mile long, and each time I go around I run through the sand and every time I see the footprints in it, MY footprints, it gives me this little burst.  those are the footprints of a chick that isn't athletic.  footprints of a chick that never thought she would get into something like running.


so of course I had to take a picture of it.  duhhh  :)