I set out for a slow six miles today. The 'long run' of the week on my training schedule. Early on, I saw trouble. I began to negotiate with myself; switch songs, slow down, there's almost a downhill, hold on. It didn't work, I was approaching a point on my trail where left would take me back to my starting point with a four mile finish and a right turn would accomplish my goal of six. As I approached the fork in the road, I evaluated myself: I could finish four strong and feel impressive OR I could run a weak six and accomplish what I set out to do. Integrity is what you do when no one is watching. I turned right. It was slow and I battled with myself and my pain and my breathing but I finished. I did what I set out to do. No shortcuts, no excuses. Six miles in the bag. Doing what you say you will do is the action of a strong person. Weak run or strong, I did what I set out to do. That's the action of a strong person. I can feel good about that.
