Puddles, Plots, and Pace: Reflections on Day 3

The journey continues…

Day 3 - PPP

Today, Mo Farah reminded me: “You’re not only getting fit, you’re getting flat-out fast.”

Day 2, on the other hand, was a total egg. Life started “life-ing,” and my whole day got rearranged. I moved around plenty, but didn’t get in any constructive exercise. Still, I persevere. This month, I’m working on keeping a clear line between what’s aspirational and what’s impossible. Sometimes you just can’t do it all—and that’s okay. The important part is understanding why it didn’t happen and making adjustments so it doesn’t become a pattern.

These are almost done. They served me well, though.

Day 3 felt like a reset. I woke up, turned on the TV, and stumbled into a movie called Clawfoot. Francesca Eastwood—an actress I had never heard of—was magnetic in this role. The cinematography pulled me in, and the tension had this offbeat mix of comedy and psychological suspense. I didn’t catch the beginning and couldn’t stay to watch the end, because the road was calling. But what I did see reminded me: don’t just go along with what people are telling you. Pay attention. I’ll circle the block on that movie later.

Once I turned the TV off - turned the TV off, I got myself together and headed outside. The start was tough—those bad inner voices kept suggesting I go back in—but after a few steps and one leap over a puddle from last night’s rain, the switch was flipped. I was in GO mode.

Running has always been layered for me. As a little boy, my father would take my siblings and I out jogging early on weekend mornings. While most kids stayed up late on Fridays and slept in until Saturday morning cartoons, we were out in the park running. At the time, it was agonizing. More on that another day.

What I do remember, though, is how running became a place to collect my thoughts. Those Saturday mornings that started dreadfully would, by the end—maybe 1.5 hours, though it always felt like half a day—become mini therapy sessions. With running, like most exercises, you allow your body to be the person who looks out for you when others don't. You deserve that. I thought about everything and made peace with most things. And today’s run felt the same: a little pocket of October reflection.

 October has always been significant to me. Symbolic, even. People, places, and moments from this month have shaped me in ways I still carry. October, I think I like you.

After a wipe me down. Face, shoulder, chest, pants, shoes.

🏃🏾‍♂️ Daily Recap

• Distance: 1.99 miles

• Time: 37:52

• Avg Pace: 18'57" per mile

• Cadence: 110 (the number of steps taken per minute)

• Miles Logged: 5.5 miles in October

Lesson Learned: Running clears my head and gives me space for reflection—just like it did when I was a child.

Tomorrow’s Focus: Keep building consistency and silence the “bad inner voice” faster.