Three Miles, then Four, then Five, then Six

At first it was impossible,
then tortuous,
then difficult,
then challenging (notice the emotional shift?),
then a measure of determination, patience, faith, self-forgiveness, guts
then routine,
then easy,
then no big deal.

Repeat the last four steps.

That's one of the things I like about running, every distance is a series of transitions and challenge and growth. But some days are just hard days, and the challenge is emotional not necessarily physical. There's a balance that must be played, between acceptance and forgiveness and just muscling through a challenge. I get as much from the reminder to NOT GIVE UP when I feel tired or cranky, as I do from the improvement in speed, muscle strength and lung capacity. Not giving up is, frankly, the hard part for me. But running keeps me fighting, and I like that.