The neighborhood that we ran in today has two MAJOR hills and we had already done them twice by mile 5. After my friends left, I asked Chris which hill we were tackling because I know him well enough that he isn't going to let me keep running another mile without doing another hill. He then informed me that if I really knew him well I would know that we were going to do the section twice! UGH!!! These hills are killers! After you go down one you have to go up the other no matter which direction you are going. So, we ran down one, up the other, recovered briefly and went the opposite direction. Did it hurt? Yes. Did it feel great knowing that I did it without whining like a big baby? Yes. Am I stronger because of it? Yes!!!
I live in my own little box and Chris is trying to demolish and smash it to pieces. For many years, I only ran a maximum of 3 miles- that was huge for me. Now, I am training for a marathon, but I have created a new box. I like to keep my comfy pace, which is about a high 9/low 10 minute mile. He believes that I can reach a low 8 minute mile pace. Right now, I can't imagine running that fast for a long period of time, but then I never thought I would be a runner either.
Chris encouraged me to run and never stop no matter how much it hurt. Those were his exact words! I still hear his voice in my head when it just isn't feeling too good and I consider walking. I love him so much for always encouraging me and expecting more out of me that I expect out of myself! I will admit that sometimes I just want to be left alone in my little box of comfort, but he just won't let that happen. So, maybe one day in the near future I will be out there running 8 minute miles consistently and I will have one more thing to thank him for!
