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When The Going Gets Tough

Tough times will always come. The level of difficulty, however, is relative for different kinds of people and at varying periods in their lives. No matter the size of the problem, it is one’s ability to confront these trials that is vital to one’s survival on this rocky road of life.

Running, or any other sport that challenges your strengths and pushes you beyond your limitations, builds your endurance physically but more importantly, mentally. When faced with a seemingly insurmountable task, a mountain climber can recall conquering Mt. Everest and think “If I can climb the highest mountain in the world, what else can I not do?” When life throws too many problems at a runner, she can remind herself of her last marathon and think “Hang on. The finish line will soon be in sight.”

The past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for me. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say most days were 2’s but there were quite a number of days that peaked at 10 in terms of fear and stress. Twice this month, I had to take my boy for a blood test to check for dengue. With a low fever that persisted for days, he wasn’t eating and could barely stand on his own. During the hours that we’d wait with bated breath for the test results, I feared to even think of what we would do had the tests proven positive. Thankfully, after almost two weeks with fever, he is now fully recovered.

Right now, I am seated in my daughter’s dental office, waiting and waiting and waiting during these three long hours that they sedated her to work on over 10 cavities. The procedure, as we’ve been told, is not entirely fool-proof so, as much as we trust the anesthesiologist and dentist who are caring for her, I am still extremely anxious and worried until I can hold her safely in my arms.

Coupled with these worries is the task of juggling my load of work. I am struggling to make my deadlines for projects that have come at me all at the same time. Are there enough hours in a day for me to get all these done?

My fears are nothing compared to others, but there is nothing that makes a mother more anxious than to see her child in pain. Work issues can be set aside, but no, not my children.

During these times, I recall seeing the flyover ahead of me during the Adidas KOTR. It was an uphill climb that, I thought, would be utterly tiring and difficult. Ugh, I muttered. But, after plodding my way up, I found it to be surprisingly easy and effortless. It was all in the mind, really.

Last night, I literally ran my stress away. Most of you will agree that it is truly a great pain reliever. I ran 10k on my treadmill at full speed leaving my worries behind. That hour of running gave me strength to face this day. It hasn’t completely alleviated the anxiety, but it has helped me gain a more positive outlook. Even if the weather is gloomy outside, the sun shines brighter on my front. Everything is gonna be alright.

Posted on 10.03.07 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 10 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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10 Responses to “When The Going Gets Tough”

  1. hang in there bullrunner, just think that you are never alone, all of us are here running beside you, with you in this race of life together.

    Levy said on Oct 03 07 at 9:03 PM Reply

  2. …the tough get going. as usual, excellent piece of writing. best wishes!

    roadrat said on Oct 04 07 at 7:08 AM Reply

  3. hey!…hope everything’s okay now…nice piece here…you never fail to inspire me…been undergoing tough times here as well, my consistent leg pain was diagnosed as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) so I have to undergo two weeks of therapy and cut down on my runs..as in twice a week at most and one to two k only per run :-( …but i’m still thankful it wasn’t a tibial stress fracture which the doctor suspected at first (yikes! waiting for my xray results was scary!) …i just have to admit that i’m out of commission for a while but I know that the strength of mind and spirit I’ve gained through running will help me overcome this MTSS thingy…so I’ll still say see you on the road one of these days!!!!

    Mary715 said on Oct 04 07 at 5:44 PM Reply

  4. Thanks guys! All is well now. My boy is back in school — 4 lbs lighter. My daughter has new teeth, is eating well, and doesn’t remember a thing from the dentist. I submitted all my work too. Yeah, it’s time to run with no time limit! A bull run run, a bull run run :)

    bullrunner said on Oct 05 07 at 10:16 AM Reply

  5. i love this post, jaymie. and i’m glad to hear the sun is shining on your home front again. things have been quite the rollercoaster here as well over the last couple of months. just when i thought things were looking up these last couple of weeks, this coaster went for a tailspin again. your post helped me to see the silver lining in the clouds.

    e-rod said on Oct 05 07 at 1:23 PM Reply

  6. awww mare, if it’s really about the kids, the mother in you really comes out. something i really like about you, we see as someone so powerful with your strides, but more than anything else you’re a mum through and through.

    buti na lang anton is ok now. and for your girl, this too shall past :)

    banggigay said on Oct 05 07 at 6:33 PM Reply

  7. hi jaymie, i’m really glad your kids are alright. *hugs*

    we’re all bound to have those days, some probably worse than others. but youre right, its all a matter of putting our priorities in the right order and shaking away any hovering negativity that threatens to slow us down. and yes, if you can progresively break your personal records and outdo yourself in many ways than one in this demanding sport, your stresses should definitely eat your dust. :)

    Meeya said on Oct 06 07 at 3:34 AM Reply

  8. Hi Jaymie,

    People often say “If I could only run way from my problems.” Thankfully for us who love running, we can.

    If sometimes I find myself in a corner, all banged up and ready to throw in the towel, I run… even just to de-stress, forget, or be in a world of my own(and even for just 30 mins).

    Afterwards I come back from to reality fresh, stronger, and with a new perspective, ready to run the race of my life again.
    :-)

    T

    Tonton said on Oct 08 07 at 5:58 PM Reply

  9. E-rod, I’m glad I helped in my little way. Hope things are better for you there!

    Banggi, thanks! Yup, lumabas yung pagka mommy ko! :)

    Meeya, I love your last line!

    Tonton, i agree with every word!

    bullrunner said on Oct 09 07 at 5:35 PM Reply

  10. I hope everything is okay now. I am glad you are able to do something to help get you through tough times!

    norabarnacle said on Oct 10 07 at 3:00 PM Reply

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