Willpower, the strength to act, or forbear from acting, in the pursuit of a goal.

WOW!  I get out of bed today and take a quick peak out the window before getting on my running attire.  I see...SNOW!  What the?  It is May 1st people!  Give me a break!  So then I started thinking...should I just go to the gym and run on the treadmill, at least I would have a TV considering I will be running for between 3 to 3 1/2 hours.  Then I started thinking about what this is all about for me this year.  It isn't about me, first of all, it is about my brave and loving friend Vicky who is strong every day.  She doesn't have the option of taking a day off from cancer.  Nor does she have the option to take a day off from treatment.  So what am I thinking!  Get out there and stop being such a wuss! 
So instead of putting on my "light" running pants, I pull on the thick warm ones, layer with 2 layers plus a coat and a winter hat and gloves.  Not exactly my idea of a Spring run...but nonetheless, it has to be done...all 20 miles! 
So, I step outside and #1 almost all on my ass because the steps and sidewalk are covered with glare ice and #2 the wind is so strong it takes my breath away.  This is going to be a LLLOOONNNGGGG RUN!
So I set out for lap number 1.  I do a nice short loop of 6 miles around the youth hockey arena.  Glare ice, snow sticking to my eyelashes and wind do not make for a fast pace..this sucks I think to myself.  Lap 2, the sun is trying to shine through the cloud cover and snow is still falling lightly, OK, that must be a sign from someone that reminds me this is not about me, it is about Vicky.  I keep going, but faster and stronger.  Willpower is kicking in because despite the weather, the aches, the pains, the wrinkled fingers from wet gloves, the snot running down into my mouth, the wet feet, the blood started in the back of my ankle from my zipper on my pants, I keep going.  After lap 2 I stop by home to get some water, 1/2 banana, shot blocks and go to the bathroom.  Sweating through my clothes so I decide to take a layer of my coat off and switch gloves.  Back out...8 miles to go!
Oh wow!  The wind has picked up...I swear it must be gusting up to about 25-30 miles an hour.  I run by the church on 30th Ave and the temperature reads 23 degrees.  I keep going against the wind, hoping I don't hit a patch of ice at this point because I don't know that I would be steady enough.  I get to stop n go.  There is a man with a dog and he looks and stares at me as I pass him by with a slight hint of "that chick is crazy" in his eye.  I keep going.  I get to 8th street.  Ah Yes!  A break from the wind again at last!  I take off as I can now see the end in sight.  My legs are starting to feel like lead.  Willpower...I will finish soon and my pace is improving without the ice.  I have this!  Stay focused.  I get to my neighborhood and see Jason.  I run a short lap around the neighborhood with him.  I end my run at 20.50 miles.  I feel great!  Cold, sweaty, and thirsty, but great!  I thank you, Vicky for the strength to keep me going!

So screw you snow! And screw you cancer!  The snow will melt and cancer will be cured....