So yesterday morning, I decided it might be a good idea to go for a run. So I put on my running shoes, started my Map My Run app, turned up my running music and away I went.
There’s a few things I should mention. First, it looked like a beautiful day. It was sunny with bright blue skies. However beautiful it looked though, it was in reality, only about 36 degrees out. And it was windy, especially down by the bay.
And so, about a quarter way through my mile run to the water, I began to feel it: Pain. Lots of pain. Because let’s be honest, running in general is hard, especially after a very long, non-running winter. The first feelings of pain came from the bitter cold winds blowing sharply on my face. Then my toes started to get numb and running on numb toes is quite painful as well. Combined with heavily inhaling freezing air into my lungs, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it.
Thankfully I did. With one of my better mile running times, I should add. I’m pretty sure I only ran fast because I was trying not to freeze. When I reached the water, it was a truly welcomed sight.
I took a breather. Walked by these posts, and was reminded that theoretically, summer is coming soon.
As my feet crunched over the broken shells on the dock, my breathing got a little easier
And the feeling in my toes started to come back.
I walked to end of the dock and was greeted by one lone seagull. His buddies all flew away as I approached, but he was determined to stare me down fearlessly, and while standing on one foot, no less.
And when I looked up and saw this beautiful sky, I knew things were going to be just fine. Because sometimes in life, you do hard things. Sometimes the wind hurts your face and you can’t feel your toes and sometimes it’s hard to breathe. But you have to keep going… to keep trying. And eventually, it gets better. My Mom told me that once. That no matter how bad things got, eventually they would get better. And she was right.
I enjoyed the view for a bit more before turning around and running home. I can’t say it was my best idea, to run in the freezing cold, still winter winds. But it was a good reminder that doing hard things produces good things in the end. I was pretty sore this morning from my run, which was a good feeling and I’m proud that I accomplished what I set out for. And that would be my Thursday afternoon post with a Thursday afternoon encouragement of not giving up when life gets hard. It’s simple enough, I think. Anyhow, thanks for stopping by to read and have a great day.
Laura Herr Photography 