EXAMPLE

When I run, my mind wanders. Now, I'm not saying it's always really intellectual and that it doesn't ever involved me imagining myself as a dancer in a Britney Spears video.

On Saturday, E. Haynes and I ran the Toughest 10K across the Galveston Causeway.

For much of the time, I was thinking things like "holy moly, this hill is steep" or "if I can maintain this mile split, I'll finish in under an hour" - but then there were times that got hard. Really hard. Like the return miles, about 3/4th of the way up the causeway.

Why should I stop and walk? Because I'm tired.

Why should I keep going?

Because IV would be proud of me. For finishing and powering through and meeting my goal.

Because Matty would encourage me to push through the fatigue and recognize that it's just a few more miles and - heck, I run a few more miles all the time!

Because there were participants out there who watched me pass them and tried a little harder.

Because there were participants out there who totally SMOKED MY ASS and they wanted to set an example of what hard work and determination does.

Because I could see Michael Biron's house from the top of the causeway - and he would want to run, but can't.

Because there's a little something called perseverance and it's something I'm learning a lot about.

And so I pulled up my shoulders, and I decided that when I crossed the finish line, I didn't want to have anything left. Not a single ounce.

And so I did: