# @thekoreanvegan on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVt5mvGp87
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67451339-thekoreanvegan-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/3f6be57c31.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-03T17:36:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Joanne L. Molinaro, The Korean Vegan (@thekoreanvegan) — https://gondola.cc/thekoreanvegan

## Caption

This morning, I wake up the same way I often do—prying myself from the soft fingers of a dream. It is still grey outside. My clock yawns 5:41. My first thought is: “7 miles.” Fridays are always “long run days,” even if 7 miles is barely enough to qualify as such. I linger in bed longer than normal. A. and Lulu are already cavorting through our small kitchen and though I typically like to take Lulu on her first walk of the day, I choose to let A. do the honors today.

I wonder what it must be like to wake up without so much as a feather resting on your chest. The anvil locked over mine has been there so long, I wouldn’t be surprised to find rust between my ribs. 

Over breakfast, I disguise my dread with light chit-chat, by crowing over a decided victory at the day’s Wordle, tugging primly on the delicate lip of the teacup my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas last year. These small rituals comprise the four corners of an attack, an aggressive though unviolent campaign to prevent the spiral. There are birds fluttering outside the kitchen window. I can hear them, even if I can’t see them. 

After sharing the last bite of my English muffin with Lulu, I bring my plate to the sink. Instead of heading to the front door, I trudge to the sofa. Sink into its deep cushions. Let myself fall with the weight of that anvil, until my face is pressed against the worn upholstery. “7 miles” repeats itself and I hate that voice so much, I want to cry. “There are too many things to do,” I counter. “Not enough hours in the day. Certainly not enough to run 7 miles.” 

Meanwhile, I remain supine for 17 extra minutes, doing nothing. 

At 7:29, I get up. Shrug off my cocoon. Slather SPF all over my face and neck and shoulders. Lace up my shoes. Walk out the door. Turn on my watch. Open the gate. Step out onto the pavement. 

I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life. Got through law school. Left a bad relationship. Restarted my career. But sometimes, just putting one foot in front of the other can be so goddamn hard.

But I can do hard things.

#notai

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## Tags

notai

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