Rough Days…

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Some days are rough!

Sunday morning, I had a rough run. My legs were heavy, my knee hurt, and I was just plain tired! Halfway through the slog, I remembered a quote, “There are no shortcuts to endurance. You have to train yourself to make peace with the long route…every day…and do it…and love where it is taking you.”

I’m not sure where this quote came from, but when I heard it, I had to write it down. This powerful statement isn’t just about running; it’s a testament to the journey we’ve embarked upon – a journey of resilience, determination, and, most importantly, peace with the process.

I’m learning that in our crazy world of ultrarunning, where every mile is a story, every trail a new chapter, and every race an adventure, the goal is not just to finish but to savor each moment along the way.

I’m learning more as I get older, deal with injuries, and compete with the thousand other things on my calendar, that I just have to embrace it all….the whole process.

Here’s how we can embrace and thrive in our journey towards endurance:

• Accept the Journey: Understand that shortcuts are illusions. The path to enduring strength, both mental and physical, is paved with consistent effort, patience, and grit to face the long route ahead.
• Make Peace with the Process: It’s about finding harmony in the hardship and learning to welcome the challenge rather than merely endure it. Making peace with the process means recognizing that every step, no matter how hard, is a step towards growing me into the person I want to be.
• Celebrate Every Run: Each run you conquer is a victory, not just towards the finish line but in the grand journey of life. Love where each step is taking you. Those steps are shaping you into a more formidable, resilient, and passionate runner and individual.
• Foster a Community of Support: Remember, you’re not running this route alone. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences, your struggles, and your victories. We are building a community that thrives on encouragement, understanding, and shared goals. Though many of your runs are alone, others are on the journey with you!
• Reflect and Rejoice: Take moments to look back at how far you’ve come, not just in miles but in the perseverance you’ve cultivated, the barriers you’ve overcome, and the love you’ve developed for the journey itself.

As we move forward, let us not search for shortcuts but instead deepen our love for the long, rewarding trail of the ultra-distance. Let’s let the lessons of this journey seep into our beings, making us not only better runners but also lovers of life’s rugged trail.

Keep running, keep enduring, and most importantly, keep loving every step of your journey.

On the Journey,

David

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P.S. Check out our latest podcasts if you’ve missed them. Episode 150 with Isaac Barnoski was so fun! Then, in Episode 151 I got to chat with Mike and Sandra Smith about running 215 one-hundred mile races and Sandra’s book on crewing many of those races! You can now watch the latest episodes on youtube!

P.S.S. If you’re looking to run your first or furthest ultra or just looking to take your running to the next level, we’d love to chat with you about it! Click here to learn more!​

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