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Pounding the Pavement Again. |
| Warm weather has returned (for a few days) and tonight me feet took to pounding the pavement once again.?Many times in the past I have made the decision to hang up my running shoes for good.?These decisions have been based on a variety reasons, but for the most part, they were made based on the decision that running can be painful.?As I trudge along the streets of Chattanooga and Rossville, my chest begins to ache, my feet grow numb and the sun beats down on my neck.?What a great feeling this pain is.?Part of the joy of this pain is the benefits that come from it.?For the 30 minutes of discomfort I experience, I gain so much.?Of course there are cardio benefits, but there is also much more.?As I traverse the asphalt jungle and suburbia, the time is mine alone.?I am free to meditate and reflect on the world as I know it and ponder how I might change it or if it should just be left alone.There is another mental benefit that accompanies running.?Each time that I increase the time spent running or decrease the time it took me to cover a certain stretch, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment.?Knowing that the fruits of your labor are paying off is a very rewarding feeling.?There is one particular benchmark I aim to reach again.?Not far from my home is a .7 mile stretch of road that goes up Missionary Ridge.?I have named this monstrous hill "Titan".?When I lived in Warner Robins, another daunting valley I traversed was called "Goliath".?When I reach the crest of Titan with running feet, it is a great feeling.?With each passing evening's run, I strive to go up a little bit further.?I will say to myself, "That guard rail is your goal tonight..."?but sometimes I make the goal and look ahead and say, "okay, I will go up to that patch of trees...".?With each passing night and each new milestone comes a new feeling of accomplishment.?One night, two summers ago, I was able to reach the crest and continue further down the road that runs along the top of the ridge.?This summer, I have set no new goals regarding speed or distance.?I only hope to expand my horizons via routes.?I want to set up a new route through downtown Chattanooga and explore running through the Chickamauga Battlefield.?I will continue on my old route through downtown and the nice flat Brainerd Levy.?I have set a goal of sorts.?I am due to visit Albuquerque this August.?In exploring things to do there, I read of a very challenging hike over some very rugged terrain.?I hope that in August, my physical condition will be such that I can attempt this trail.?Tomorrow I will ache something fierce as my body feels the hangover from tonight's run.?I will enjoy it. |
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