Pain.

It was a day just like any other. I woke up with this uncontainable energy as I usually do and I knowingly responded to my bodies' urge to move. I have a routine for running, and it's not often that I deviate from its consistent course. My body awakes on its own, early, just as the sun is opening its eyes to the world. As I peer through my open window on this hot, summer day, I quickly lift myself from my vertical position. No food, a small sip of water just to get the internals flowing, and I'm already undressed, searching for minimal amounts of clothing to put on. I only do this to be acceptable by the laws of nudity. As a result, I reach for my spandex, no underwear needed, a sports bra and a loose singlet. It's not long before my socks are on, my knee-brace in place, and my shoes tied. I always double knot my laces, I never want a reason to stop. Ever. I pin my hair back in a tight ponytail followed by a headband to secure every last strand of my long, dirty blond hair. I reach for my iPod and scroll to a play list only heard at this time of day and as the ear buds take up residence in each of my ears, I hit play and I'm off. It's as if the tap of this basic button is my starting gun. I try to walk to "warm-up," but this idea never lasts long. The excitement of moving my legs after eight hours of sitting still wins every time.

I never know how far I'll go. I think that's the beauty of it. I can just go, and go, and go some more. I answer to no one, except my body. My body is boss. But it often disagrees with my mind. And this is when running can turn into a bit of an issue...

I suppose its the same for every athlete. Sometimes your mind tells you its okay, the pain isn't really there. But then your body screams, "what the hell are you doing to me?" I usually keep my music loud, so it drowns out any screaming extremities, but sometimes my music isn't loud enough...

There are two types of pain. The first pain is a pain that's felt when you are pushing your body to go farther. It's a pain that some say is "weakness leaving the body." It comes in the form of heavy breathing, a fast pounding rhythm in the chest, and an ache in every muscle of the body. But this pain can be overcome. 90% of this pain comes from the brain. The other 10% is reality, but this is a small margin.

The other pain is a bit more physical, if you can call it that. It's the pain felt when a tissue is swollen, a ligament loose, a bone cracked. This pain may hurt more than the first pain I mentioned, but not because of the stinging sensation that is sent through the body. This pain is excruciating more so because you know you have to quit. You know that your body still has an energy store to run a marathon, but the injury, the tear, the crack, tells you that you just physically cannot. No matter what your mind says, the matter wins. And this to me is the deepest pain of all. All of a sudden this freedom I feel as I answer to no one, becomes a prison in which I am trapped by my body's' limitations. My foot strikes the ground and I can feel my bone slowly becoming two. It seems to have localised its pain and I am forced to give up...