It’s 27 degrees; a tropical paradise compared to the
persistent single digit temperatures that have become the daily standard of
late. I’ve been getting much too familiar with the treadmill so I decide this
is the perfect opportunity to take my run outside. It’s 5:00 pm; daylight still dominates, but
darkness will be setting in soon, so I strap on my headlamp and head out the
door.
I take one of my standard routes which travels through the
neighborhoods on the hill above me. I enter a short stretch of pedestrian path
that connects the two neighborhoods. New
fallen snow blankets the earth and covers the trees along the path, muffling
each foot strike and giving the appearance of passing through a white tunnel. In the distance, headlights from a steady
stream of traffic on the highway illuminate the horizon, but, like my footsteps,
no sound is heard. With dusk setting it the experience becomes dream-like.
An endorphin rush typically accompanies every run, but
surreal moments like this amplify the experience. I’m totally in the zone, running effortlessly
in a state of solitude. Being in this state makes me think about how running
really is a catalyst for happiness. Moments like this provide happiness, but it
goes deeper. One of the major sources of happiness in life is constant
improvement; challenging yourself, enhancing your skills and abilities. Doing
so makes you feel alive. Running offers many opportunities for this to happen.
Beginning runners often have a goal of completing a 5K. Once
this is accomplished, if so desired, plenty of other opportunities exist for
progression and additional challenge, such as taking on a 10K, then the half
marathon or even the marathon distance; beyond that there are ultra marathons.
With any event an additional challenge of trying to improve time can be added. Furthermore,
running can act as a stepping stone to other events such as the triathlon. Regardless
of your experience or running history, there are always opportunities for
continued challenge, growth and motivation.
I have been running since high school and have progressed in
a manner similar to that which I just described. With 18 marathons behind me my
focus now is on improving my time. The marathons I’ve run have been for the
sake of experiencing different races and as a “carrot” so to speak; a source of
motivation to keep my conditioning level high.
The majority of my marathons have been on hilly courses, so it was more
about the experience. Now, I’m becoming more focused on improving my overall
finishing time. With Father Time in pursuit of me I know the time is now for
action! The goal; break 3 hours.
I’ve heard breaking 3 hours in the marathon referred to in
running circles as “slaying the beast”. This is fitting because it can feel like an intimidating creature at times. I’ve flirted with slaying the beast in the
past and just 3 years ago came the closest yet, finishing in 3:02 at The Cox
Sports Marathon in Providence, Rhode Island.
I was on pace through mile 21 but was done in by the hills near Brown
University. How ironic that I was brought down by a University that shares my
name.
I now have my sights set on the Vermont City Marathon this
May for my next attempt. A quest which I have proclaimed as Operation 259; as in, the operation will
be a success if I finish in 2:59 or less (I find assigning a title to a goal
makes it more fun). The course does possess some rolling terrain but overall is
conducive to a fast time. I view the
rolling terrain as a metaphor. When
pursuing a goal there will be highs and lows, challenges and victories, but by
being persistent you will be successful. Plus, running in my own backyard will
be more fun. My quest will be updated in
future blog posts.
Everyone, runner or otherwise, has a beast to slay in their
life, or a barrier that seems impermeable. Whatever yours is, go at it
with a vengeance! Don’t let it intimidate you. Be persistent! Sensations of power and happiness will
follow.
