An unexpectedly good run

I made a few goals (I had a list and everything!) to accomplish in a 2-day span recently. Stuff like haircut, shave, walk the dogs a couple of times, and so on and so forth. Well, I also listed a goal of running four miles, even if it was split into two miles per run. It would be two miles per run, let’s be honest. Day 1 came up with a goose egg so, oh gosh, can I do four on Day 2? Well, I buckled up my Garmin Forerunner 245 Music and hit the road.

Normally I run with fast music, somewhere in the 100 to 110 bpm range to help keep up a decent pace but today I was in the mood for worship music. You heard me correctly, worship music. With a bpm of [really slow] I listened to a few favorites but was really looking forward to one in particular. It’s called “The Blessing” and it’s by Kari Job and Cody Carnes.

Question: How far would you run to make sure you’re safe from a bear chasing you? One mile? Well then I ran far enough to be safe from four bears. That’s right, I actually did all four miles! I ran a long loop which usually ends at my house but when I got there, after two miles, and listening to that song, I had to keep going. My feet wouldn’t stop. So I did the loop again.

I may pay for it later with soreness but it was a pretty nice run. There were spotty showers which was actually refreshing. My watch tracked well and my bluetooth earbuds were up for the challenge.

I finished the run with a sweaty shirt, a face dripping from rain water, but feeling good! Are there certain songs that compel you to run faster, or farther? Do you imagine a bear chasing you? What motivates you to go the “extra mile”? Comment below, I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

-Out of the Wilderness