When I got up yesterday (Thursday), my plan was to run that evening since I had taken a few nights off to sleep. Yeah, I went to be super early twice this week – like 7:30 pm and 9 pm as I was completely exhausted. So when I woke up yesterday, I set out my running gear on my bed and went about my day.

I had an awesome work day co-facilitating a workshop at a local camp. We were outside, doing games, learning, sharing…really just a great day with great people. Then we had to get through dinner and I took Lilly to get her hair cut while Sai and Hilary made a birthday card for Lilly (she’s turning 5 on Sunday – Woah!).

Once I returned home my energy for running was gone. We put the girls to bed and went about our night. After saying that I had really wanted to run my husband said to me {at 8:23pm} “Go now and get your gear on, do it”. So I did!

I was outside by 8:30 and ready to go. i had to start off slow and figured I could run between 3 and 5 km…really, I wanted to hit 5k but wasn’t going to be upset if I couldn’t do it. As you may have read the other day, 5k’s are HARD for me right now 😉

Wow, that first kilometers was mostly up hill, what was I thinking? Actually, I was thinking I’d just run my normal loop! After the first kilometer I was breathing pretty hard and my legs felt weird! Eventually, I realised that this run was not going to get EASY and the struggle was real.

I struggled up the second long inclined street but tried to control my breathing. Around 2.75km, I big bug flew into my left eye, ouch! That took a few seconds to get out and deal with but I kept running. Finally, I was on a straight stretch of the road and it was flat. Though my legs felt like a baby fawn after it’s been born – super wobbly, uncontrollable and awkward, I kept running.

This.Was.Hard!

I kept running for some reason.  I kept running and had a smile on my face the WHOLE time! I was loving it! I truly was loving this struggle of a run!

As I got close to home I noticed my time and figured I could get a sub 30 minute 5k so I pushed it and managed just over 30:03. For a run that was 100% a struggle for me, it was perfect! It was JUST what I needed.

I needed to be reminded that running is fun.

I needed to be reminded that running is hard before it gets easy again.

I needed to remember how much I loved running.

I needed to remember that being outside with others during my workday is awesome.

I needed to be thankful for a husband who pushes me out the door when I’m not quiet feeling it.

I. NEEDED. THAT. HARD. RUN. 

Have a great weekend. 

Cheers, Piper 🙂