Need a hand, Sisyphus?

This morning found my back aching, eyes blurry and brain fuzzy after writing 5,000 words yesterday. I felt a bit like Sisyphus facing the boulder. But am I sorry? No way.

I stumbled up my local mountain trail at 6 a.m. looking at a sky blue as a robin's egg and strewn with wispy clouds. I had to push a bit to make myself climb uphill, just like I did to keep writing, but the reward was a clear head, a refreshed body.

My reward for yesterday is three solid chapters of rewrite. I looked at it this morning, and it rocks--very little to toss. I'll find out soon enough if my crit buddies agree, but I'm feeling very positive. I learned from the experience that I can do much more than I thought, even what seems impossible. I'm not saying I would do marathon writing as a practice, but every once in awhile it serves a function. It's invigorating and shakes up the status quo.

Thanks to all of you who cheered me on. I owe you a cool drink someday.