The 10k easy run isn’t so easy now, is it?

I felt a bit stronger today and decided to go for the 10k. This distance used to be one of those easy runs, a 1-hour-ish workout that I could knock out of the park at a moment’s notice. Today was different; this was the second run after my time off from running. The effort that was once easy became hard. I had to dig deep into myself to not quit halfway, focus my mind, and push through the mental fog to keep going and finish the run. I was sweating a lot, more than any other time I ran the 10k. I sweated through my VnExpress Marathon Midnight T-shirt, soaked my shorts, and sweat dripped down my socks. It was probably the hot and humid weather or just my body getting used to running again.

Although I was tired, I was super proud of myself to have finished the 10k and added 1 more km at the end just to go above and beyond what I’d set out to do.

During the middle of the run, when doubt and exhaustion were seeping in, I went into a meditative state and was with myself—just me, the music, and the objective to continue running and finish the run, one step in front of another.

Although this run required more effort and was harder than it used to be, I was actually kinda glad because I had the chance to enjoy being a beginner again and have the knowledge that I’m capable of doing this and even more. It’s like having the pleasure of watching your favorite movie again for the first time or listening to your favorite song on new headphones.

My shoulder and chest feel a bit tight when I move, and my knee and thigh are feeling a bit tense, but that’s usual for running pain.

I felt wiped after finishing the run. I definitely felt stronger compared to the previous run.

Same distance

Different me

Different effort