Reflections from the road

I think one of the best times for learning lessons is on your bike. After an hour of riding tonight, it started getting dark and cold. Dressed for warmer weather, my fingers and knees quickly became numb and started to burn. Knowing that I didn't have a front light on my bike, I started to push myself to get home as quick as possible. My eyes watered, and yes, I blew quite a few snot rockets. I tell you what, snot rockets are an art and if you don't get it right, well, you get the picture.

Eventually I came to the last two hills. My legs were burning at this point and my breathing was short and fast. I wasn't happy. 

It was then that I had an epiphany. 

I have not truly enjoyed my runs or rides for the past few weeks. Wondering why the things I love so much had become so dreadful, I realized something. Whenever I finish a run or a ride I am instantly thinking of how I can do it better next time. I never feel that sense of accomplishment because there is always another goal to reach, a faster pace to run, a longer ride to pedal. Unfortunately, I've become so focused on gaining speed and strength that I have forgotten to enjoy. I beat myself up by saying, "You could have done that better. If only you would/wouldn't...". And so, I am never good enough. The goals I make are never ending and quite honestly, impossible to accomplish in the amount of time I desire to accomplish them in.

ENJOY.

When I think about that word, I smile. There are a lot of things I enjoy. Ice cream, sleeping, a lovely sunset, my closest friends, a new pair of tennis shoes, an empty inbox at work, and laughter. However, I've somehow seemed to lost the art of enjoying, or as I like to put it, delighting in, my runs and rides. And honestly, that just takes all the fun out of it!

So with a numb body, burning legs, gasping lungs, and a longing to be home before dark, I looked up.

Wow! I saw before me the most gorgeous silhouette of pine trees against a bright blue sky that faded into pink then a light shade of purple. With the chilly wind in my face, I laughed out loud and...you guessed it...enjoyed!!!

God, I don't ever want to take for granted the moments in the day you have given me that can be enjoyed. Help me to delight in the small and the big, the comfortable and the challenging, the fun and the routine. You reminded me tonight that the reason you've given me a love for running and biking is because I love being out in your creation! Help me never lose sight of the beauty before me. I want to surrender my goals and my dissatisfied heart to praise you over what you have helped me accomplish. A 3 mile run with huge hills? YES! A 14 mile bike ride in the freezing cold? YES! All glory be to you! I don't ever want to sell you short of what you've allowed my body to succeed in by focusing on what I cannot accomplish quite yet. Help me give you praise for the small goals reached and lean on you to move forward. I love you. Thank you for helping me enjoy tonight!