My 15 Mile Run

If you have read through My 101 Goals for Life , then you know that there are quite a few marathons that I have on my list to run.

Only one problem there. You see, I am an extremely passionate runner. I am one of those crazy people who lives for the trail. However, the longest I normally run is 5 miles, a far cry from the 26.2 miles of a marathon.

So I figured I better start upping my mileage so that I can run the marathons that I have dreamed about for so long.

Today I decided that I would run 15 miles, just out of the blue. It sounded like a good idea at the time.

So I threw on some shorts and a t-shirt, laced up my running shoes and headed for the lake by my house. The trail along the lake is 5 miles, so I would be running it three times to make my goal, further than I had ever ventured before.

I started the run at a pretty good pace, but still trying to conserve plenty of energy knowing how long I would be running.

The first five miles went pretty smoothly. At mile 2 I even had some ducks cheer me on, or at least that’s how I interpreted their incessant quacking.

At this point I was on a dirt trail surrounded by trees and overlooking a beautiful lake. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

The only real concern I had were my socks and shoes, which were soaked by the morning dew on the grass. Hopefully, it wouldn’t cause too many blisters. I would check for damage later.

Next time I decide to go on one of these crazy early morning runs I would remember to bring some extra socks.

After I finished the first 5-mile loop, I arrived back at my car and gulped down some water. I didn’t want to stop but I knew that I would need to keep myself hydrated if I was going to make all 15 miles.

I had set out 2 water bottles by my car and I almost drank an entire 20oz bottle. In an effort to conserve for the next two go-arounds, I closed up the bottle and hit the trail agian at a good pace.

Strangely enough, I was still feeling really good. Everything seemed to be going really well and I wondered if the rest of the run would be this good.

Over the next 5 miles, I went into almost a dream-like euphoria. The miles simply rolled along with myself as a passenger.

I arrived back at the car once again after another 5 miles. I had reached the 10-mile mark. I immediately grabbed for some water.

Fortunately, the weather was pretty cool and overheating was far from a problem. I decided to run the trail in the opposite direction for my last 5 miles. I thought it would add a bit of variety seeing everything backwards.

I took a few swigs of water for later and then started back on the trail. Only this time, something was different. The spring in my step wasn’t quite so springy. The pain was finally setting in and my legs felt like 2 blocks of concrete.

Many people think that running is a physically enduring sport and it certainly is. However, much of the run is fought in your mind. Those last few miles are a complete test of mental endurance that goes way beyond physical.

I had reached the point in the run that was purely a mental battle. I had to decide whether I was going to break through the pain or let it defeat me. The latter wasn’t even an option, so I plunged forward, with my quads screaming at every step.

Some relief came at mile 12 when I met an older gentleman that began to cheer me on. He had a smile that could warm any heart and he encouraged me to keep going.

I was sure that he also was once a runner and knew the pain I was going through.

About half a mile later I was met by the biggest hill of this entire course. I slowly but surely started trudging up the hill. I knew this would be a battle that would only be won one step at a time.

By the time I had almost reached the top, every muscle in my body was screaming for me to stop. They didn’t realize that stopping wasn’t an option.

I pushed on, knowing that this was the biggest battle I would have to win that day. And soon, I had run to the top and was back on a nice, flat trail.

But the battle was far from over. With about 3 miles left in the run, I still had a ways to go. I finally reached the wooded trail and was excited to be back among the soaring trees.

The miles passed slowly. A couple miles later, the real test came.

It was the last mile of the run and my body wanted to quit. My mind, on the other hand, knew better. We hadn’t come this far to give up now.

My body ached. My feet and hands had begun to tingle and cold flashes began coming in waves.

I could actually see my car at this point, but it was still half a mile away.

At this point, half a mile could just as well have been ten. I began to dig deep. It was time to see what I really had left. I plugged away, putting one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other.

It was now that I wished I had someone to run with me and push me on to the finish; someone to talk to me and keep my mind in a different place. But I didn’t have anyone. I was completely in the moment and I knew exactly what I had to do.

Running is like that. There are only two options. You either reach the finish line or you don’t. Simple as that. It’s in stark contrast to the rest of life.

I was now just a little ways from the car and I gave one final push. At this point I was already in celebration. I had reached a new level and all the pain in the world couldn’t take it away from me at this point.

I arrived back at the car with a deep satisfaction, knowing that I had once again, beaten life at it’s cruel games.

Sometimes people ask me why I run and I’m never sure quite how to answer them. I tell some people that I enjoy it but I know that I am partially lying even as I say it.

How could I possibly enjoy running 15 miles of pain and torture?

But still, there’s something about it that suits me. I love seeing the sun rays coming through the trees along the trail. I love the simplicity of the sport. I love watching the seasons change by the day as I make my way from winter to fall to spring to summer.

I think running is a lot like life. They both have their battles, mentally and physically and when I succeed at finishing a run I know that I can also succeed in the battles of life.

I’m still not sure what it takes to run 15 miles: physical endurance, mental toughness, or complete insanity, but I think it’s a bit of all three.