Wednesday, 29 June 2011

The reward is worth the pain…

This past Sunday morning I ran some difficult trails and the first 7km or so were really tough. I battled with tired legs (it was my 7th day of running for the week) and the one really difficult climb was hammering me.





I kept telling myself it will get better once I reach the summit. I pushed on through some pain and I was not disappointed when I reached the top. I recovered quickly and started running a lot more relaxed.


In the end the view was worth the pain…




I also realized that it is certainly true…it does get better once you reach the summit. So keep pushing people, the reward is worth the pain. 


Happy running!
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30 comments:

  1. Christi29 June 2011 at 21:30

    That view is definitely worth the work!

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  2. Marlene29 June 2011 at 21:34

    That's some serious climbing, but WOW does that blue sky view ever look incredible!

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  3. Liz29 June 2011 at 22:28

    That does look tough - great running!

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  4. Brett Martin29 June 2011 at 22:39

    Very inspirational :)
    Love the view too!

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  5. Jennifer29 June 2011 at 23:08

    Great pictures- that sky is so blue! You are an inspiration Johann!

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  6. Ewa29 June 2011 at 23:44

    I won't be running on my summer trek but I will remember that no matter how much legs hurt and lungs refuse to work it is worth it.
    BTW, that trail looks brutal. I would be afraid to go down that thing.
    Thanks, Johann.

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  7. Amanda@runninghood29 June 2011 at 23:48

    I've been thinking of you as I've been reading Born to run and reading about those super looooong races!!

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  8. Raina30 June 2011 at 00:22

    Run? :) That is a climb!!! :) did you bring your parachute?

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  9. Emz30 June 2011 at 00:34

    your title says it all soooooo very well.

    Amazing view.

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  10. Jill30 June 2011 at 00:36

    Beautiful!!!!
    I'm reading Marshall Ulrich's book: Running on Empty. Have you read it? You must!! Early on, he says, "...that's where ultrarunners live, in a place where you feel as if there's nothing left, no more energy, no more reason, no more sanity, no more will to go farther. Then you push forward anyway, step after step, even thoughe very cell in your body tells you to tsotp. And you discover you CAN go on."
    I totally thought of you when I read that line! You proved it here!!!

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  11. ajh30 June 2011 at 01:34

    You always push through and do it. Nice view!

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  12. Richelle30 June 2011 at 02:46

    Wow... what a tough hill! The view was totally worth it!

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  13. Unknown30 June 2011 at 03:14

    So true Johann, I always have to remind myself of that when I'm struggling to get out of the door, or have to leave a nice warm bed to hit a cold trail.

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  14. Char30 June 2011 at 04:02

    And that's your Winter?! The sky looks too blue - almost like it's been photoshopped.

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  15. Anne30 June 2011 at 04:13

    OMG that is such a beautiful view! Definitely worth pushing through :)

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  16. Patrick Mahoney30 June 2011 at 04:43

    I can't get over how blue the sky is. And how steep that climb looks, jeez. And I agree with you 100% that the reward is worth the pain.

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  17. Kate Geisen30 June 2011 at 06:10

    Wow, such a beautiful view and such a cool trail...and difficult! Way to push through.

    I have to try really hard in the beginning of most runs to remember that, if I stick it out, it's so worth it. (I usually have to try really hard to remember that towards the end of most runs, too. )

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  18. Teamarcia30 June 2011 at 13:32

    Those climbs are treacherous! Good for you for conquering them!

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  19. Laura30 June 2011 at 14:08

    Totally worth..and thanks for the reminder that in the end...the pain is worth it.

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  20. Indi30 June 2011 at 15:56

    Great view and 7 days running..pretty hardcore!

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  21. Giorgio30 June 2011 at 16:51

    What a tough running running path! Beautiful landscape!

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  22. Robin1 July 2011 at 01:37

    Incredible!

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  23. Chris K1 July 2011 at 03:54

    My favorite quote:
    "We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey".

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  24. ultra collie1 July 2011 at 06:20

    the harder bit is the steep descent after!

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  25. Anonymous1 July 2011 at 17:47

    Yes, the view worth the tough work.
    But that is not a normal trail, on that path it is impossible to walk too. You are a machine.
    Are you ready for the 3 nations?

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  26. Lauren2 July 2011 at 05:52

    So, so true my friend. The summit is where the gold is! It makes it all worthwhile!

    It's so amazing too how my trails look so similar to yours, half a world away. : )

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  27. myturtlespace2 July 2011 at 07:35

    I'm inspired by your story and the pictures. Thx

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  28. wendy2 July 2011 at 21:25

    Thank you for this one, Johann!

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  29. Cory Reese4 July 2011 at 07:04

    Ouch, those trails look hideous. Way to go!

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  30. Staci5 July 2011 at 12:01

    That climb looks torturous - surely not something I could contemplate running up.
    The view is beautiful, we are so lucky to have such clear skies in winter.
    Happy trail training.

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