Patience
My first real run with @rundemcrew in July last year took us to the graffiti tunnel under Waterloo. Having never gone out running in a group I got really excited. I messed up a bit. Basically, I shot off in the tunnel, sprinting away and racing the guys with very little understanding that this was the halfway point. Halfway through a Cheetah run, not almost home on my own Sunday run. I exhausted myself and struggled the whole way back, slightly embarrassed to have gone all out, sprinting off like that and then having to drop away, ending in the back of the slower group when we split up.
Fast forward to the run last night.
I’ve got to admit, I got very excited at the prospect of returning to the tunnel, but felt a pang of that feeling… Last time we were there I made a poor judgement and suffered (although it remains one of my absolute favourite runs with the crew. There’s only one first run). When we got to the tunnel I checked myself, and although I definitely was tempted to let it rip and head off into the darkened graffitied tunnel, I held back and slowed to a halt with everyone else. We goofed around a bit, taking pics, and then turned home under the dark London sky. Nothing remarkable happened, nothing anyone would notice. But I realised that something is shifting. Patience is building. Learning to understand that you’ve got to make the most of what you’ve got. Being where you’re efficient. Not getting bold and then burning out when you’re on the homeward stretch. Maybe it’s age playing its part. Maybe it’s just the fact that I’ve exerted myself too soon too many times. Whatever it is, it felt good to stick with the group last night.
Thanks to @chopbot for the pic from tonight
