17 January 2013 - Runners high

Tonight I set out to achieve my mid-week running goal of 7km. I ambitiously mapped out a run on Mapmyrun that was a loop I've not tried before in my area and would see my coming home after a distance of 7.5km. I set off with instructions for the loop on my hand and with little conviction that I would actually have the energy or motivation to see this long run through.

Little did I realize this would turn out to be the best run of my life.

I had a goal last year to be the fittest I've ever been by the time I turned 25, this goal culminated in the completion of the 10km Twilight run in March of 2012. After that run my fitness steadily declined as I battled with health issues, buckled under a 65hour a week work schedule and sank into something of a depression for the remainder of the year. I never exceeded that 10km mark.

Tonight I ran 10.6.

Tonight while running I battled runner's stitch, but I kept running anyway.

Tonight while running I realized my mapped route took me to a dead end road. I doubled back and I kept running anyway.

Tonight while running I felt as though my energy levels increased rather than depleted, with each stride. And the strides got bigger and faster as I ran.

Tonight while running I could not keep the smile off of my face.

I arrived home excited, determined and confident that I can and will be one of those people who achieves great things when it comes to fitness in their life. I won't take my eyes off each goal I have on the horizon. And I won't be stopping with just this upcoming half marathon. I can only get better.