Today I went for a late day run after a few words from Rocky got me out the door. I’ve enjoyed not having the hustle of sports, long runs and crazy weekends that leave me exhausted before Monday. Today I hit my 8am barre class with my workout friends, came home to make a great omelette and caught the end of Rocky Balboa. So it is not a big secret – the entire Rocky series might be my most favorite movie series of all time. I remember just before my first marathon I had major jitters and my then boyfriend (now husband) told me all I needed to do was watch Rocky. Now, I had seen the movie before, but this time we both sat down on a Friday night, watched the movie and for the first time I watched it as an athlete about to take on the race of my life. From that moment on any Rocky movie could just suck me, no matter what time of day it came on tv. The grit, the perseverance and hint of doubt that Rocky has, but is careful to only share in moments of close comfort with those who truly understand him.
Today I had a great morning at barre, ran some errands and then it was time for me to commit to double digits. A late day decision meant I was running seven miles with friends the next day, so today I took on my first double digit long run in a month. It…. was….. good!!! I planned for an easy warm up and next would take on some steady miles. I was not sure what “steady” included, but since I have not held long fast paces and I had not done a long run in a while. So after three miles, with my music blasting (Aerosmith, Allman Brothers, Queen and other 70s rock) and my heart filled with “the stuff in the basement” I went for it. I took on three miles at an 8 minute pace, recovered and then did it again at a 7:54 pace. I cooled down and when that run was done, I cannot begin to explain the thrill that left me soaring for the rest of the day.
Just like when Paulie said, “It takes guts climbing back in that ring, knowing you’re gonna take a beating. You’re gonna do all right, Rocko.” And he replied, “How do you know that.”
Paulie, “Because of the stuff in the basement.”
No matter what, get back in the ring. You got stuff in the basement you might not know you even had.
Today I went for a run... 