4 Days ING NYC: Power in Pain

We are T minus 4 days.
I had my day planned by the hour today. Everything went as scheduled.

1. woke up at 6am for coffee and prayer time
2. Breakfast and lunches made. Gym bag packed.
3. Out of the house at 7:15 to drive boys to school
4. Gym
5. 10am Dentist appt.
6. Clean house
7. Pick up Alec
8. Drive to Austins CC meet
9. Home to make dinner and a pecan pie.

I wish I was able to taper in life. The easiest part of my day was my work out! I did 1 1/2 miles around track. Rolled, stretched, abs for 30 min. Iced for 12 minutes. HOLY MOLEY the ICE was cold. I know that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out but it HURT, so so bad. I had to pull my legs out 4 times to get used to the frigid water.

Because I didn't have a very eventful run I want to share someone elses' run.

My son, Austin had his last CC meet today. I have been a little disappointed with his season. He has gotten faster but he also "Feels Good" after his runs. I never feel good after a 5k. THEY HURT.
They hurt starting the first mile. I HATE 5k's because they HURT SO bad!

Austin has had a really hard time breaking 20 minutes. I know he can do it. I have watched him run too long to not understand his running. He is AFRAID.
FEAR will dictate your actions. Fear will justify everything you think and do. It will hold you hostage. It will dissemble you piece by piece.
As soon as Pain surfaces Fear comes wagging its tail. Ready for you to give it attention. Then it OWNS you.
Running is so Mental.
Accept the Pain and drive through it.
I watched Austin with less than 1 mile in blasting pass me. I thought "Did he hear my words" Did he hear my prayers?"
I KNOW he can do it. I believe in him.
"Own the Pain" I thought to my self. The quicker you accept the pain the more you figure out HOW you are going to get through it and not let it GET you.
At mile 2 he was running ahead of a couple boys that continually race in front of him.
"COME ON HARLESS, GO Go Go." I scream till my voice cuts out.
His time was spot on for breaking 20. He just had to hold it. He had to run through it. He had to dig deep and fight the mental demons.
"Pain is temporary Quitting is FOREVER."
I saw him coming close to the finish. I glanced at the clock. I felt my eyes well up with deep joy. Overflowing Joy.
I ran as fast as I could to meet him at the finish. I bobbed in between people smiling and crying. This was such a huge obstacle he had to get over. He has tried for 4 weeks coming within seconds to breaking 20.
Today he not only broke 20 he CRUSHED it. 19:31! That is 6:16 minute mile.
I hugged him and told him how proud I was of him over and over.
I asked him about his race and he said.
"I am usually afraid. I just ran through the pain and as I ran farther I knew I could hold it."

Austin finished his last meet with a BANG.
No Regrets.
Most people quit on the first wind and don't even know they have another one right behind it. CONTROL your thoughts. Believe in yourself.

When we Persevere through our Pain we will see how truly strong we really are. We will experience victories we never thought were possible. In Life and on the Run. We are ALL going to experience Pain of some measure. But Never Never Give up. Never lose HOPE. And Always Believe through Christ ALL things are Possible.

Anita