"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

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!

30 comments:

Christi said...

That view is definitely worth the work!

Marlene said...

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

Liz said...

That does look tough - great running!

Brett Martin said...

Very inspirational :)
Love the view too!

Jennifer said...

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

Ewa said...

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.

Amanda@runninghood said...

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

Raina said...

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

Emz said...

your title says it all soooooo very well.

Amazing view.

Jill said...

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!!!

ajh said...

You always push through and do it. Nice view!

Richelle said...

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

Unknown said...

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.

Char said...

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

Anne said...

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

Patrick Mahoney said...

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.

Kate Geisen said...

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. )

Teamarcia said...

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

Laura said...

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

Indi said...

Great view and 7 days running..pretty hardcore!

Giorgio said...

What a tough running running path! Beautiful landscape!

Robin said...

Incredible!

Chris K said...

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

ultra collie said...

the harder bit is the steep descent after!

Black Knight said...

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?

Lauren said...

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. : )

myturtlespace said...

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

wendy said...

Thank you for this one, Johann!

Cory Reese said...

Ouch, those trails look hideous. Way to go!

Staci said...

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.