"People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree"

— Haruki Murakami (What I Talk About When I Talk About Running)

One thing I've realized these past two years is that it is important to have shared goals and your own goals.  My current shared goals are success throughout medical school.  But I always knew I needed my own outside of school.  And while I love company during my workouts, runs, rides , swims, etc... its something I've never fully shared a passion for with anyone.  These times are always my plans and my goals for that day or for training for an upcoming race.  Sometimes I think how great it might feel to accomplish these things fully with another but in the end I know, some things are just sweeter when you know you were able to push yourself to succeed on your own.  I've felt more fulfilled and alive after a finishing a challenging race or pushing myself through a long workout than any single exam, finals week, or even after boards.  I never feel like I deserve anything special, its simply a sense of self satisfaction

(Because I don't want to take any credit for actually reading that book, I took the quote from a friend's blog, it just seemed fitting)