Believe

I recently read an article by Haruki Murakami titled, "Pain is Inevitable, Suffering Optional". The acclaimed author talks about his passion for long distance running and much more. I won't attempt to recreate any of his article here but I think, in true cosmic timing, that article came at the right moment in time. I had decided to run a full marathon, put up training schedules but couldn't focus on the training. I put it down to a burning reason to train. Marathon training is not an easy thing and above all, you need to have a reason to train every day, regardless of the pain you feel. I have reaffirmed my reasons for running.

Equally importantly, one has to simply accept that pain is an inevitable part of this process, much like it is with so many other things we do in life. If we are prepared for that pain, then our suffering is at least mitigated.

Status Check: As of today I am comfortably running 10 KM in under 1 hour. I feel good & strong. The pain of course is very, very real. I feel my shins, ankles and leg muscles mutely protesting even now after last evening's 10 K. But now I am back where I was last December. I now believe. And that's half the work done. Bring on the pain.