7 Miles

To some people 7 miles is a lot. To others, it is just a stroll. To me, it holds a deep wonderful meaning. It is more than some pavement that I have pounded. It is more than some constant side pain I felt from about mile 2 on. It is an achievement I have not mastered since my well spent youth.

You see, when I ran in High School, I was ok. I won a race or two, and was always on the best relay teams, even if I was the slowest person on that team! But, I could have done so much more. My coaches saw it, and my father saw it. I never saw it until today. My mind kept me from winning. From conquering fears I don't even think I knew existed. I have always been afraid of failure to the point of not trying, but there is something more than that. I never believed in myself.

Today I ran 7 miles. Sure I walked some of it, and yes, I am dreadfully slow. But while I ran, enjoying big houses with beautiful Christmas lights, I thought about the last time I ran 7 miles. I was in High School, senior year. I knew that I would NEVER run again after I finished High School, because my dad made me run. I didn't really like it. (That is another lesson I have learned over the years. I did not even make it through my first semester of college without picking up with my running!) The coach gave us these long directions to run clear across town and back. I thought I would die. A total of 7 miles he said. But, I do as I am told, so I went out, slow as possible because, you see, I would NEVER make it that far. Funny thing happened. I am stubborn, so I did not quit. The 'lesser' athletes started falling away, and in my view were the 'elite'. I was all that was between them and the ones that were already quitting 2 miles in. I saw those kids ahead of me and knew how much fun I could have with them, if I would just RUN. So I did. It was the best run I ever had, till today. I even remembered running a race, the Jingle Bell run I think, in Tulsa that was SO cold and so long. I think it was only a 10K, but I just knew I would not finish. I about cried when I had to start. I was so mad at my dad for making me do that. But when I finished, it felt good. Today was even better.

You see, next week I will run 8 miles, and the next 9... and so on till my race in February. That day I will run 13.1 miles. But back to today. I hurt, sure, it was COLD, yes. But I triumphed over my mind today. The one thing that held me back in High school. I never thought I could do it. I can. Today I ran and ran. I ran till it felt good. (That takes about 2.5 miles for me!) I ran more today than I have in over 10 years. I ran and I conquered myself.