episode 5: Running is Pure

I ran my first half marathon in November 2002 with no training whatsoever, and as if that wasn’t stupid enough, I actually stayed up drinking and smoking all night before the race.

I never bothered to train properly until the past year. I used to tell myself that I needed to challenge myself so by not training I was raising the degree of difficulty. Plus I thought it made cool stories for impressing people.

I now understand that I was actually taking the lazy path. Having the discipline to train consistently in different weathers, through seasonal changes and while holding down a demanding job is actually the real challenge.

Yes, the actual running event was tougher when I didn’t train, but it was nothing compared with the mileages I put in throughout 2012. The journey, the commitment and the actions that enable forward motion are where the challenges lie and where fulfillment will come from. Not some half-ass attempt to create a silly story for bragging.    

This is why running is so pure. In running, proper effort will result in positive progress. This is guaranteed, which is quite rare in life.

In career and relationships, such direct causal effect and instant gratification are unusual. However, that doesn’t mean that improvement is absent. It might be invisible and intangible at the moment, but your efforts have already planted seeds that will grow and blossom in the near future.

I know it sounds cheesy. Believe it or not, I’m actually the least cheesy person I know, but I truly believe that good things will happen when you embark on a journey and continue to take actions forward.

I have to thank running for providing me with the right attitude as I tackle future endeavors. 

You can also follow my running adventures on https://www.facebook.com/pages/3-dudes-on-ultra-mission/271137916280936 or https://twitter.com/williewenli

Running is even more pure when you get to run around scenery like these. June 2012

Steep climb in the woods, Sept 2012

Stretching. Heavenly. Nov 2012