{First
Friday Writings for Randos - A monthly post that features pieces from
other writers that touch some facet of the Randonneuring experience,
even if that was not the author's intent. It's stuff that's best read
out loud - slowly.} This month it's an excerpt from the Chasing Mailboxes D.C. blog:
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| Photo by MG |
Endurance: What the Research Doesn’t Tell You
By MG*
Someone once told me that we so often have no idea of what our bodies are
capable of doing. Through endurance, and the effort of pushing through
sleep-deprivation and other physical and mental discomforts, I become more
deeply aware of myself. I experience the endorphin release and emotional thrill
that comes from weathering whatever a ride throws at you. And at the end of it
all, I get a story to file away under life’s great memories.
Some people understand that allure well. Some have other reasons that draw
them to endurance sports. Others will never get it. To them, we’re just crazy.
To me, we’re clawing our way to a glimpse of the good stuff.
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*MG blogs, runs, and rides from Washington D.C. and has inspired people across the world to hop on their bikes and ride to get coffee. You
can read the full post here.
Until you experience the satisfaction that comes from achieving a physical goal that you have never done before and had to fight for, it's impossible to explain. A friend of mine who's a climber put it very well "It's like a shiny thing in a box, and you can pull it out and open it up and admire it". And depending on the effort and the achievement, it can shine for some time -- weeks, even.
ReplyDeleteIt well may be impossible to explain it, but some excellent writing has been achieved in the attempt.
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