Day #20: Running Late

Last night, I accomplished a goal of mine. I left the house at 9:30p.m. and ran my favorite course in the moonlight. I told my brother-in-law about the run this afternoon, and he was rather concerned. That’s pretty dangerous, he opined. In reality, I ran my 6 mile loop on mountain trails in bright moonlight and with the aid of my even brighter headlamp.

It was a great run, and I pumped my fists in the air as I ran the final approach back to my car. Another goal accomplished. A goal which I pursued almost solely because of the pure challenge of it. The mountain loomed, the darkness pervaded, and I wasn’t quite sure I could run the distance in the cold, in the dark. As I cruised the back side of the mountain, deep in trails haunted by bobcats and coyotes, I ran because we only get one chance to take advantage of this day.

The run was a great success. A challenge met with joy, courage and effort. The kind of run that distance-running is all about.

Until tomorrow,

~Coach Reed

Oh, one last thing — I ran at night, but I wasn’t running late. I was right on time.