16 March 2008
The Zen of Ten
Posted by Bob Estes under: Bob Estes .
Unlike many of the other Road Warriors and many of my running friends here in the GR area I chose not to run the Irish Jig Saturday morning. Reasons for this are mostly personal and have more to do with the fact that I am not as fast as I would like to be and I didn’t feel like handing over my hard earned Denero just to run a 10:30 (or slower) pace for 3.2 miles. I am still limited physically with my weak left leg and painful right foot and that helped me justified my non-participation. To those who ran – Great job!
This past week I had a succession of grindingly slow runs where I felt as if all the energy I had was sucked out of my body even before lacing up the running shoes. Normally I get a huge boost mentally and physically from my training runs. After my lack-luster run around Reeds Lake Tuesday I ran two more times hoping that each time the results would be different and that I would feel like the runner I was before I hurt myself or at least runner I was the week I started running again.
It’s amazing how two or three sub par runs can make me doubt myself once again. I knew this morning when I awoke I knew I needed a long run to stay on track. I went to church this morning and hoped I would find a something to spark myself. I never found that spark. The run almost didn’t happen. I’ll admit that I was nervous about running another disappointing run. At one point as I sat on the edge of the bed putting on my socks I wondered how bad I’d feel about napping instead of running.
It took forever just to get all my gear together. It was as if I was putting off the inevitable looking for a better offer to come along. Finally, I climbed into the car and made my way over to Kent Trails with the intention of running from 44th Street out to 84th Street in Byron Center. Long story short - I made it out and back and I equaled two of my longest runs (pre injury) with 10 miles. It took me almost 2 hours all together. There were spots on the trail that were still covered by snow pack but the sun was shining and the sweat that poured out felt great. Best of all, I had two hours to ponder why I doubt.
5 Comments so far...
Deb Says:
16 March 2008 at 8:28 pm.
Wonderful Bob! I am so glad you made it out today and did 10 miles! It would have been easier to skip it, but you followed through. We all have times of doubt. We all have crummy, frustrating runs. Thankfully most days are great! Stay strong fellow road warrior!
Shelly Says:
17 March 2008 at 7:34 am.
Bob–know that even in your times of doubt we are all still here believing in you! GREAT JOB on your 10!!!!
Terry Says:
17 March 2008 at 7:04 pm.
Great job getting your ten miles. It always feels great after you complete your long run even when you don’t feel like running. Way to stay motivated.
Terry
Cherisse Says:
25 March 2008 at 10:16 pm.
GENERAL COMMENT:
For those of you who have read this post and fully understand what Bob talks about when describing the elongated duration of his departure for this run, TAKE NOTE, you spouses THANK YOU for going and doing it! You all return much happier souls, even if covered in blistering snow chunks and frozen boogers. You always feel better when you just do it. When you feel better, your spouses feel better!
On a more PERSONAL NOTE…for Bob…I know that your source of inspiration for this journey is sometimes hidden by the depths of your days. I hope you can always find a glimpse of where the road is leading you so as to entice your inner athletic senses.
I am thankful that you have the Road Warriors, Run Gaz. and DDH Runners to interject when your motivational supplies are running low. I realize that I don’t always know the right thing to say or to do to, so again I am thankful to you fellow runners and also for you, for tapping into your intense drive to the goal.
I am very proud of the path that you have been carving and the vision that you are nurturing into growth not only for yourself but for those that you are inspiring along the way and those of us who gain fuel from your determination every day.
I love you…..see you at the finish line.
Your wife - Cherisse
Michelle Says:
1 April 2008 at 9:48 am.
Way to go! 10 miles! That is AWESOME! I really know what those hard days are like…getting out there when you really don’t want to. I say fast or slow- if you go out there and do it- ROCK ON! Bad runs just give you some room to improve! 
And Cherisse is right- runners always come back in a better mood!