It started with a decision. Because of the road-shoulder conditions on US 209 on Thursday and Friday, I decided that today I would not run my regular 20 mile route from Tower City to Lykens and back- I assumed that because the shoulder on US 209 was covered with snow on Thursday and Friday that it would most likely be the same today. I had rerouted my plans and mapped out a new route. My first 2 miles would be on a similar path of my normal 3rd and 4th miles, which meant that I wasn't going to front-load my run today by starting with a 2.5 mile warm up run.
Before I even hit my first mile, a dog came running, barking, and chomping at me. Now 99.9% of the time when a dog comes after me during a run, it is not aggressive. In fact, I would surmise that most dogs either want to play with me or run with me, but this time I wasn't sure, and I couldn't interpret the dog's actions- this is when I realized that I forgot to bring my pepper spray. I stopped running and made sure I didn't show any aggressive tendencies toward the dog, who started trying to find a place to bite (too many layers). Finally, the dog's owner called the dog back, and, unlike most other times, the dog returned to its owner.
The last thing a runner needs when starting a 20 mile run is to have his adrenaline pumping before the first mile. I've learned how to control this somewhat, as this was not my first run-in with an unleashed dog, but it still isn't a good start to a long run.
By the second mile, when I was supposed to turn around, I was surprised to find that the shoulder was free and clear. Since I like this route better for its rolling hills (rather than steep ones), I decided to continue to Lykens and try to add the additional 2.5 miles somewhere in the run.
After about 6 miles into the run, I couldn't help but notice, wow! my legs are already tired! Last weekend, I said that I had never felt so good after a 20 mile run- this weekend, I don't think I've ever felt worse! If nothing else, this goes to show how fickle running, and life, can be- sometimes everything goes perfect, according to plan, then other times nothing seems right.
I made it to Lykens, and continued past my usual turn around point to try to get an additional 1.5 miles so that I would not run less than 20 miles. I don't like guessing my mileage when I have a specific goal. I learned that (1) Lykens eventually does not have sidewalks or a shoulder worth while, (2) the coal yard outside of Lykens has deep "coal mud" all over the ground on the road, and (3) wow, my legs are really tired and sore and I'm only half way.
I turned around at what I thought was 10 miles. When you're running and you hit a flat section of road, it often feels like you're running uphill, so you naturally assume that on the way back this will be downhill. This is just a good thing to know, because when your legs are sore and tired half way into a 20 mile run, it's best to not get your hopes up only to have them crushed later. I'm still learning this lesson.
If the first 10 miles was bad, the second was worse. The only redeeming part of the second half was that I got to wave to my wife and child as they passed me on the highway while out doing errands (yes, other people do stuff while you're running 20 miles). Shorty after our paths crossed, something meteorological happened.
You and I both know that the Winter season starts officially on December 21. This year, Winter never really started. I've actually had days where I have run in shorts and t-shirt, and other days where I've dressed warmly, but not too layered. With a very few exceptions, it has been an incredibly mild Winter, to the point that I have called it "Finter" since it has felt more like late Fall or early Spring most of the time. Well friends, at about mile 13, around 3 PM, February 11, 2012- Winter finally hit.
Now, with sore legs, and a very tired body, I started to fight through what can only be described as a sudden snow/sleet winter mix with high gusts of wind. Within minutes, I started to notice that the road (you know where all those cars drive on) started to turn white. I was either running against the wind or with the wind and whenever I opened my mouth I got a little taste of crunchy ice. In addition, I had the added benefit of being pelted in the eyes. I've run in ice storms, blizzards, tropical storms, etc, but usually I have some indication that this was coming and could adequately prepare, but this just sort of happened. At least, in my looking, this was not predicted.
This is when I had remind myself of what I had posted last week. The Lord is the strength of my life. This would be my mantra when I trudged through mud, this would be my mantra when I felt like giving up and walking, this would be my mantra for the rest of the run. A mantra is only good if you believe it's true.
It's interesting that when you only have 2 miles to go in a 20 mile run and you've been fighting exhaustion and the first day of the Winter season the whole way, it actually seems like a reasonable and good idea to walk. This became a mental and spiritual battle that raged inside me until I got to the point where all I had to do was to turn right and the run would be over. Instead, something inside of me took over and I was driven to continue running. This time with some extra umpf.
Remember how I guessed that I had turned around at mile 10? Well, I started thinking that when I got home, I would map the run and how upset I would be if I found out that I had run less than 20 miles... more would be OK, but less would actually bother me. Well, now, without any warning, I continued on. My strength had returned and that little fire inside of me was stoked. I ended up running one additional mile (brings new meaning to going the extra mile). I am convinced that the Holy Spirit, you know, my strength, took over the run. Now, it was like I was being lifted on eagles wings- OK not that dramatic, but it was a pretty cool experience.
Words started to occur to me that summed up today's run as I was almost home. If the Lord is the strength of my life, then my weakness is my strength, because God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.
My run today was 20.3 miles. Had I not listened and continue the run with a weakened, wearied body, it would have been 19.3 miles. When I listened to the Spirit, when I listen to the Spirit, then His strength takes over, and I can then do all things.
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