I was talking to a friend the other day about suffering in the context of running. They were astonished that I suffer during runs just like they do. In turn, I was astonished by their astonishment. Of course I suffer during runs. Doesn’t everybody?
What’s funny about this story is that up until a couple of years ago, I would have played the part of the friend expressing amazement that a runner with superior experience and ability felt anything like I did during difficult runs. Even a decorated runner with a chest full of medals and a closet full of race t-shirts knows suffering?
Yes, even them.
The truth is we all suffer when we run. Some of us may suffer a bit less, or more, given our respective training and fitness levels. Others may understand when suffering is necessary, and just as importantly, when it is not, a level of wisdom we all should aspire to attain.
Yet suffer we must, if we are to run with courage and conviction. It’s just part of the deal. What we do with suffering is the key element in this equation.