I recently watched the documentary film "SOMM" for the first time. This film dives into the intense world of wine tasting, following four candidates as they prepare for the Master Sommelier exam, one of the toughest tests out there. It’s fascinating to see the level of dedication and expertise required to identify wines by taste, smell, and appearance.

After watching it, I thought, "Hey, I can taste a glass of wine and capture all the smells and tasting notes." Turns out it is MUCH HARDER than I thought. I couldn't taste or smell anything of note. Running is like that. We often underestimate the difficulty of what we do every day. It’s easy to forget how challenging running is because we do it so regularly.

But here's the thing: not everyone can do what we do. Everyone should, but not everyone does. It's important to remember how special you are for being a runner. You’ve dedicated yourself to a demanding activity that requires discipline, perseverance, and mental toughness.

Next time you run, take a moment to appreciate your effort. Remember, running, just like mastering the art of wine tasting, is not easy. Celebrate your commitment and the progress you’ve made. You’re doing something incredible, and that’s worth recognizing.

Photo: @ Bobby Stuckey