Finding the Energy

The North Face Endurance Challenge 50k in Massachusetts was a grueling race of steep climbs and rocky downhills. The uneven, hard footing makes your bones ache in places you never knew to feel. With 6,000 feet of elevation gained and 31.2 miles run, we were left tired and sore. My toes bled, my ankle swelled and my back feels like I’m many decades older. These are known factors of racing, especially on east coast trails. I embrace the pain, and rejoice that my leg muscles still feel fresh. 

We ran so hard that my face hurts; not from sunburn or a clenched jaw, but from smiling. Running takes my breath away in more ways than one, and it amazes me that we always find extra air for positivity. A thank you to the volunteers giving us water or food at an aid station. A thank you to the police officers stationed at road crossings. Words of encouragement to the runners we pass on the trail to keep up the good work. Words of support for the runners that pass us to keep running hard. I saved some of these good feelings for myself too. The words of reassurance in my head kept me going, and a deep gratitude for my legs kept me running strong. 

Energy is hard to come by on long races. Mental fatigue sets in as does physical fatigue from the demand placed on our mind and muscles. Yet, we always had the energy to be kind - to volunteers, fellow racers and ourselves. I see less of this at dog shows than I’d like...less of this kindness to each other, ourselves and our dogs. 

An unkind person convinced me once that I was despised by my fellow agility competitors. At times, I’ve felt an unwelcomeness and was left scared to make the wrong move. I’ve felt the toxic vibe of poor sportsmanship, and played a part in this myself. He was wrong though. There is more good in agility and more good in me. I’ve grown past this pettiness he cultivated, and strive to put my best self on the line each day. Not just for my dog, but for fellow competitors and myself as well. If I can find the energy for kindness on a thirty plus mile race, I am sure to find it in between forty second sprints with my dog. 

A good word or two can go a long way - to motivate a person towards their goal and towards spreading a bit of kindness themselves. After all, we are all out there running the same race.