When 1/2 the distance is good enough.
The hope
After we finished a wonderful shrimp and risotto dinner this evening, my wife said, “You should go to the gym tonight.” I was feeling rather full, but it was my turn to work out – and I was excited to add some mileage to my Run 48 States endeavor. So I changed into my running clothes, and off to the gym I went.
My plan was to run an easy 10K. I didn’t want to push it after dinner, but I really did want to start racking up some miles.
The reality
But once I started, my “easy” pace didn’t feel so easy. I told myself that after a mile the dinner would settle and I’d feel better. A mile passed and then I told myself that after two miles I’d feel better.
The second mile was harder than the first. By 2 1/2 I was just hoping to be able to make a 5K. I finally did make 5K (barely), and then I had to stop.
At first I was really disappointed.
Disappointed that I didn’t run the whole distance. Disappointed that I ran 5K at such a slow pace. Disappointed that I felt so tired and spent.
But what was my alternative? To not have run at all?
The realization
Sometimes any run is better than no run. A slow 3.1 miles is better than 0 miles. 300 calories burned is better than 0 calories burned. And trying and making an effort is better than not trying at all.
So what if I didn’t run 10K? I ran. And it wore me out. And then I listened to my body and stopped.
There’s nothing wrong with that – and I got home in time to help put the kids to bed. 
That’s good enough. In fact, that’s great!
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Hi, I believe you learned the great truth about running, and that there’s a lot of satisfaction in “just doing it”. It’s not all about the time, distance or speed. You can say you went running, somehow, there’s a lot of satisfaction in that!
Exactly. Thanks for the comment – and nice site!