No Pain No Gain

In Poor Richard's Almanac: The Way to Wealth, Benjamin Franklin wrote "There are no pains without gains."

I reflected on this phrase as I was running this evening; my body desperately screaming at me to stop - but I forged on - through the pain. OK, I'm a wimp! The pain wasn't that bad and it eventually went away (after two 800 mgs of motrin). Just teasing - no drugs.

After a bit, I reached the Runner's High! OMG! Yesterday and Today!!!! I had forgotten about the high and am I addicted now. Now why was it I gave up running? Well, when I finished my run, I definitely felt the burn. After a workout, you're supposed to stretch. At least I thought muscles and tendons were supposed to stretch and bend. "No pain, no gain." If... I... could... just ... reach ... my ... toes ... and ... pull ... my ... leg ... behind ... me...

What made the night so enjoyable however was watching the geese and ducks take off at sunset and follow the Rio Grande South. I could have sworn they were calling me to fly with them ? as high as I was. I bid them adieu and finished my run.

I know that whatever pains of experience come my way, I'll manage through and be triumphant! Right now I just happen to be learning my continual lesson of patience. Pacing oneself is the key to any situation; running a race or trying to attain other goals in life. Reminds me of The Tortoise and the Hare.

I think I'll practice patience by curling up on my couch downstairs for the night.

Namaste,
WS