When life gets you down, it is hard to get out the door but it always seems to be better with a run.  Sometimes the struggles of day-to-day life is a little overwhelming.  I too struggle with trying to balance everything.  My friends call me “the machine”, but I’m really not and I’ve never really liked the term because it implies a lack of emotion.  They of course don’t mean it that way.  They’ve affectionately given me that nickname because I do have an ability to rise to the occasion when it comes to completing challenges, but it’s not always easy either physically or mentally.  I tend to just let things slide and accommodate everyone else’s needs many times at the expense of my own.

At the end of the day, getting outside does always make me feel better.  Naturally it is always better with friends.

But sometimes you just have to go it alone.  Being out on the trails does provide peace of mind and valuable time to be able to think about what’s really important in life.  I do have a supportive family, great friends, my health is good, and I have a good job.  I am truly blessed so am better off than a lot of folks in that regard and really don’t have anything to complain about.

Pikes Peak is looming in the distance.  The Ascent and Marathon is just over a month away.  I haven't been able to put in the training I would've hoped for by this point, but like life there really is nothing worth complaining about.  I'm positive I will complete them, just maybe not in the time of years past.