Tyler Johnson

Today I ran 5 miles! I don't remember for sure, but it's probably the longest run of my life. How did I do it? The answer is simple.

One step at a time.

There are no shortcuts here. If we want to run 5 miles, over the course of many minutes, we will need to take many, many, many steps, over and over, one step at a time.

And to be honest, it's not easy. First of all, we need to start running, and guaranteed, doing whatever we're currently doing is far more comfortable than running. And if starting our 5-mile journey isn't the hardest part, then somewhere between miles 0 and 5, we'll encounter those inevitable feelings of boredom, exhaustion, or for whatever other reason, "I think that's enough. Let's stop."

But No. That is NOT how 5 miles are run.

The way 5 miles are run is this. First, realize that the only way to do something that takes forever is to start. And second, no matter how shitty the low-point at mile 3 may be, regardless of how impossible our goal seems at that point, mile 5 will always be closer after taking another step.

That is, right when things can't get any worse, it's the perfect time to take another step. After all, that step is guaranteed to be better than the previous one, and our situation will only improve from there.

And that, like all great accomplishments in life, is how 5 miles are run.

P.S. Here's the route I took. I took the "run in one direction until you get to 2.5 miles, then turn around" approach. This image doesn't do it that much justice, but Nike+ is pretty cool. It tracks stats nicely, and I'd recommend it to friends.

Today I woke up to the relaxing sound of raindrops outside my window. As I headed to class, it was actually quite nice to be walking through the weather. I thought about this more throughout the day and came up with seven good reasons for why I like the rain:

1. Rain reminds me I'm on planet Earth. It takes a special place for water to fall from the sky. Planets like Mars just can't keep up, and I am thankful to be living in a place as beautiful as we do.
2. Rain is refreshing. After a hot day, rain cools everything off nicely. Rain also cleanses the air of dirt and pollution, leaving behind a certain scent of freshness.
3. I get to wear my rain jacket. I have a nice green, waterproof raincoat, and I always welcome an excuse to bust it out. If only I had some boots too.
4. Rain makes plants grow. I don't need a garden to enjoy how green rain makes all of the vegetation. But my parents have a vegetable garden, which makes everything that much more delicious.
5. Lightning is amazing. When more than 10⁷ volts of electric charge builds up in the clouds, electricity bolts through the air. My porch at home is a perfect place to watch the show.
6. Colors in the sky are beautiful. Whether it is a rainbow, a soft fog, or just vibrant lighting conditions, water in the air makes for some remarkable spectacles.
7. I am happier when I appreciate things. When given the opportunity to appreciate something or feel irritated with it, I find the optimistic route to be the way to go.