I didn’t realize it was going to be a bad run when I started. It began much like most of my other midweek, lunchtime runs. All I was looking for was a quiet escape from the morning rush, and I ran slowly, moving towards my favorite trail.

Before I had even finished the first mile, I could tell I wasn’t going to be picking up the pace. My legs were heavy. My breathing was labored. I tried to distract myself by looking at the landscape, but it didn’t help very much.

I made it to the point where I turn around, and I started heading back. I wondered why I was struggling, when just the day before my run had been a good one. Then, I felt relaxed and fast, reminding me of my running before the accumulating years slowed me down.

I knew well enough, after more than thirty years of running, that sometimes I simply won’t know exactly what it is that’s slowing me. It could be emotions, or restless sleep. It could be the remnants of greasy food from days before, still lingering in the muscles I was asking to propel me forward. Whatever the reason, there was nothing that I could do to change it.

And so, I was left with a single choice, to accept it. Less than a mile from finishing, I stopped.

I walked slowly along the pathway, listening to my breathing settle down. As it faded, I heard the playful noise of nature rising, simple joy that always exists for those who look closely enough.

When I was younger, I never would have allowed myself the pleasure of backing off. I would have thought I was weak for doing so. Now, I think I’m a little wiser. Energy is a limited resource and investing it foolishly has never gotte n me very far.

It’s taken me longer than it should have, but I’ve finally learned that bad days are simply a part of the deal. You can’t win unless you’re willing to loose. And, though most people never sort through the irony, you can’t take control of your life until you’re willing to accept that some things are simply outside of your control.

No one ever achieved anything by applying their effort or worry towards something they can’t influence. After all, you can’t move an ocean no matter how large your bucket might be. Success, then, is only achieved by continually channeling your energy towards the things you can influence, like making sure you start moving forward again, after a brief reprieve.

I took a deep breath, and started running again. My legs moved a bit more freely than before, and I was able to enjoy the final moments of a run I was glad to finish.

The fatigue lingered for a little while, but before long my tired run was forgotten. I moved on to more productive things, and began looking forward to my next run.