Country Music, the Lake and a Long Run

Today was a reset day. I’d fallen off the wagon after a week away from work and some fun with the boys. I knew I wouldn’t be getting much running in but once I start having some drinks I lose focus and have trouble getting anything accomplished. It’s always fun in the moment but often leads to questions and a couple bad days after. I don’t recover like I used to.

So today was a reset day. I had 14 miles on the schedule and it had been over a week since I last ran. I knew it was going to be a struggle but I knew I needed to get my mind back in the game. Initially I planned on making it super boring by running around the block a million times and possibly listening to a book. I made it a lap and a half and realized what I needed was some country music and the lake to get me back on track.

I switched to some tunes and headed out of the neighborhood along the streets. I had my road shoes on so I didn’t want to take the trails. It turns out that is what I needed. Something about the purity of country music and nature clears my mind. It makes me think about what is important and helps me get back on track. I’ll slip again at some point, I always do. I’m nowhere near perfect……not even close. I have gotten better at getting back on track though.

So here I am, 14 miles later, tired, sore and getting my thoughts out on a Sunday to help solidify my mind and get back on track. I think my take away is that it’s fun, maybe even necessary, to get out and go wild sometimes. However, you can’t make that a habit. For me, drinking is my kryptonite. It is so hard for me to stop once I cross that line. The really hard part is the line is so thin however, I struggle with the thought of never having a single drink again. I know that this will forever be a struggle for me but I will keep fighting. For now, running is my cure. Its often painful but it keeps me focused.

For all of you out there struggling with something, keep your head up, keep fighting, stay focused and move forward. Run a trail……be happy.