Running Ramblings: Thoughts, Hills, and One Bug

When I first started this blog, I thought it would be mostly about running—training updates, race recaps, maybe some gear reviews. You know, runner stuff. But it turns out, life has a lot more to say.

Still, every once in a while, I have a run that gets me thinking in that deep, rambling way—and that’s what this post is. No filters, just the thoughts that ran through my head during a long run this weekend.

I’m easing back into running after an injury last fall, and this weekend’s long run was 9 miles. That shouldn’t intimidate me—but it did.

Thoughts before the run:

All of my runs have been hard lately.

What if I get injured again?

Why did I pick a route with hills?

I laid out my clothes the night before, crawled into bed, and tossed and turned. Checked my watch multiple times. Wondered if my hip was sore or if I was just nervous. I love running, but let’s be real—it’s hard. Some days, the desire to do it is buried under a pile of dread.

One of our PE teachers says:

“Motivation goes up and down, but commitment is steady.

That stuck with me. So, committed and groggy, I rolled out of bed a little after 5 a.m. It was 36 degrees. We were at our camper, and everyone else was still asleep. I was locked into my outfit: shorts, a tank top, and—thankfully—a long sleeve. I read my Bible, ate my oatmeal, drank a cup of coffee, warmed up, and headed out.

Thoughts during the run: I felt like a slug. No, slower than a slug.

A little over a mile in came the monster hill. I planned this route. I knew the hill was coming. I’ve been upping my mileage, but not doing hills, so... here we go. One foot in front of the other.

As I climbed, I thought about the people in my life who are facing health battles—some that feel uphill all the time. I know what’s on the other side of this literal hill: a downhill stretch, relief. But they don’t. So I kept going. One foot in front of the other.

Eventually I reached the trail in town and settled into a rhythm. Fruit snacks, water, keep running, keep praying.

By the halfway point, I started to feel like myself again. Then I saw a chair on the side of the road. Tempting. But no—I kept going.

The downhill felt amazing. I ate another fruit snack—and immediately got hit with a stomach cramp. Just breathe. It passed, and I cruised the final stretch back to our camper.

And then, just when I thought I was in the clear—a bug flew into my mouth. I wanted to spit it out. But people were walking toward me, so I swallowed it. Because dignity (kind of).

Thoughts after the run: That run was full of hills—literal and emotional. It was hard. But there were also moments of relief. Prayer. Perspective. Progress.

Here’s what I’m holding on to: Yes, there are hills. But there are also downhills. You don’t always get to know when the hard part will end—but you keep going. One foot in front of the other.

Even if you end up swallowing a bug.