Run to the Top

The other day I went for a five or six mile run just to get the juices flowing a little bit. I didn’t really have a goal other than get a few miles in and call it a day. It started out easy; there aren’t really any tough hills or anything strenuous within a mile of my house. As I was jogging along, I realized I could check out a trail I’d been meaning to run for the last several weeks but had been unable to due to the amount of snow on the ground.

I quickly veered off my predetermined route and onto the trail which, I knew, would take me up a relatively steep incline. As I climbed the path, my legs – sore from yesterday’s workout – began to burn. I contemplated walking or turning around. After all, the intent of my run was just to get a few miles in.

But it was a sunny day and I decided to keep driving onward. I could tell I was beginning to reach the summit as the hill gradually became less steep and, as I crested the top, I stopped for a moment to admire the view, catch my breath, and reflect on the last ten or fifteen minutes.

Running, more than anything I do on a regular basis, closely resembles everyday life and provides opportunities from which to learn. Why is it that we so often shy away from the hard things in life? Like the hill I was tempted to give up on, it is so easy to quit in the middle and turn around. I don’t mean this to be some self-help motivational blog post, but why is it so hard to see the top when you’re in the middle of the climb?

I knew the top of the hill would be beautiful. I knew I would be grateful I ran that trail, but everything in me wanted to stop and go back the way I came. It’s a strong reminder that even when the going gets tough, the view from the top is worth it.

There’s something about being on top that resonates with me. I love running and hiking in the mountains, following a trail to the summit and looking out over the rest of the world. Nowadays I don’t live near any mountains, but the hills nearby afford me a similar pleasure.

Doing hard things is always worth the struggle. The payoff in the end is more than enough to warrant the frustration of getting there. Too often we quit in the middle and decide that it’s too much. This is where running comes in. If you have the discipline not to quit on the hills outside you will have the discipline not to quit on the hills of life. Next time you have the urge to stop what you’re doing and turn around, run to the top. The view’s great.

If you liked this article, check out: The Subtle Joys of Running in the Rain.