"Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional"

It's been a stressful month. Since 5 weeks ago, I've been pretty much away from running due to air pollution and a few health problems. Of which some can be serious. I am not talking about those issues here -at least for now- but I'd assure you I am not making excuses. There is no point in doing so.

Since I started running, my definition of many concepts in life has changed. When you leave your comfort zone, pain is no longer something to be scared of but a sign that you're on the right track. What sounded impossible is now something achievable, something to make you motivated.

Running means a lot to me. It has simply changed my life. When I started running, I was overweight, absolutely out of shape and a heavy drinker (Although I wouldn't agree with this back then). And now after more than three years of running, I cannot imagine myself not running. Running has taken me to a lot of places I would never go if I wasn't a runner. I experienced life in a whole new way. Enjoyed every bit of hard training and sacrifices that I made. Now that it has transformed my life, I don't like to get back to my previous life. I don't want to be overweight again. This is why being away from running really hurts.

I have missed a few training sessions. I am not quite prepared for my next marathon. I am not able to run neither as fast nor as far as I'd like to. But I am determined to keep going. I am not quite fit but I am quite excited to run another marathon. Running - in addition to everything brought to my life - is something that keeps me alive.

The title is a quote by Haruki Murakami, read in "What I talk about when I talk about running"

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