The Climb

It's no secret that music holds a special meaning to me.  I've mentioned before how sometimes it can be the only driving force I have in my tool belt to complete a run.  A certain song can get me to continue on, STOP, or help take me to a place that my mind may need to be at that exact moment.  

So it's no surprise that I've found yet another song that I am going to hold on to for the next... eh?... let's say 8 months or so.   A song that I think is fitting as I prepare for my next year of running.  

Insert "The Climb"

I'm coming off to what was an exciting spring and summer. I was able enjoy some great times with my family, running in the morning with Pina, and watching my husband and friends complete soooo many amazing milestones.  (I wonder how many miles Pippa, Moogle, Gina, Carrie & Pina logged while training and finishing many half marathons and trail runs.) 

I also was able to see my main squeeze complete Segahunda, aka HIS FIRST MARATHON, which happened to be considered an "Ultra" in the trails Letchworth State Park.  

After that he (and my fearless friend, Pina) went on to do this all day and all night trail race called The Mighty Mosquito. This ultimately prepared James for running 21 miles total over three legs with 11 others that made up his Ragnar Adirondacks team.  Needless to say, I am inspired. Inspired to take on a more active role with my running. Inspired and motivated about setting some goals out there of my own... and getting the work done beforehand to achieve them!
Last week I started.  I ran far more many miles last week than I had in a long while.  I also began to plan ahead a schedule I could follow.  It feels amazing.  Rain didn't stop me, nor did the excuses of "next week I'll start" linger in my brain.  I went out of my comfort zone and signed up for a 5ish mile trail race back in August after seeing friends complete The Mighty Mosquito, and last week they held a preview for it. I had to go... and I'm so glad I did.  This Saturday is the real deal and there are so many friends (and James) doing the Glow Run... it's going to be awesome!  On top of that, I have two more races in October.  Both are 5k's and both are what is motivating me to train... to jump start this "year"  or "next 8 months" in high gear.

I have a desire to keep increasing my pace and feeling comfortable in it for longer distances. I have Seneca 7 on the horizon (hoping we can get a spot in this very popular race), the Segahunda relay and if I can form a team of 4, perhaps the Winter Warrior relay race.  While all this is going on, Pittsburgh 2016 is there in the background.  Pina is running the FULL... yes, the FULL and I can't be more proud and supportive for this.  As of now, as I type these words, the only thing I can commit and wrap my brain around is PR'ing the 5K in Pittsburgh.  However, while training and picking up miles with Pina as she gets ready for achieving 26.2 status, I hope to piggy back off that to get my distance up there as well.  And there is this small hope and/or tiny bug that I have that when Pittsburgh comes, I could be confident and ready to crush that half marathon. I already know that if I sign up now, I won't like running for the next 8 months.  That "I have to run and train because I signed up for this mammoth amazing race" is not going to be the motivation I will need.  I already know it, so why put myself in that situation.  However, telling my brain that "I'm running because I want to, and log miles with Pina as she follows her path and goal" is something I'm so eager to do. 

So, what moves me today? The Climb.  And I know I will refer back to this song countless times. It motivates me today, and I am prepared for it to anger me, cause me to break down in tears, or bring a smile to my face over and over again.

Tonight we're meeting to run the preview for our race on Halloween... a tough course, uphill most of the way, but together we'll endure that climb together.

And so, it begins!

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
Chorus:
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
Chorus:
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah! 
Chorus:
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah! 

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa