Why is running so hard?

DEAR ABBY,
Today I ran Burke Lake again with the intent to beat last week's time and I failed.  I not only ran slower I also had to walk, multiple times.  Why is running so hard?
Sincerely,
IN PAIN

DEAR IN PAIN, 
Running is actually not that hard.  Your issue is probably not the running it's more your mind telling your body to stop.  When an individual such as yourself is on a run there is a little white running angel on one shoulder and a little red lazy devil on the other.  The white angel is saying "you can do this" and "push harder" while that little red bastard is saying "time to walk donkey" or "you know how good it will feel to slow down".  Your issue is you listen to the red devil more than the white angel.  But don't fret, most people only listen to red and never pay any attention to white.  The important thing to realize in your situation is that you put yourself in an opportunity to even encounter the two little guys.  In order to encounter the mini-yous you had to at least go out and try to run.  Well done on that front.  Sometimes you will beat the red devil and sometimes he will beat you.  In short we in the "industry" like to call that...life.  This time you lost, no worries IN PAIN, next time you won't.  Even if you do lose at least you went out and tried and gave it your all and that is never a failure no matter how you look at it.  I have yet to meet someone who was able to present an argument against that logic.  Good luck next time!

ABBY