Yes, I'm racing on Sunday. And, yes I'd like to do well. I've worked hard. I've given up lots of things. I've put myself first when, perhaps I shouldn't have. But, what it really comes down to is this, I live to run. It is my drug of choice. It keeps me happy, sane, motivated, grounded. It makes me a better mom, wife, coach, friend, sister, person. Running hundreds of miles on a regular basis doesn't make sense to a lot of people. I'm not a professional athlete. No one is paying me to run or telling me to do it. It's my choice. And every day that I wake up knowing that I get to run is a gift for me; one that I never, ever take it for granted. The process of training for a marathon is long and arduous and I love it, as much, if not more so than the race itself. When it's all behind me, it's not just the race I look back on, but the memories from the four months leading up to it....the 22 miler in the snow, the workout that hurt so much I cried when it was over, the post-run coffee with my training partner when we couldn't talk and that was okay, the 10 miler with Clover when she looked as though she was smiling the whole way. Yes, I hope it goes well on Sunday. But, regardless of the outcome, it was worth it. It always is.
"Always go for a run even if it's raining. Enjoy the journey, never forget to play and feel the joy of life. Jump for joy when you're happy. Surround yourself with the people you love. Live in the moment, have boundless energy. Listen more than you talk, but when you do talk speak from the heart. It's never too late to learn. Look for the best in everyone and be loyal. Love unconditionally. And shine with all of your light, all of the time." *
Listen to this:
Right Place Right Time - A Little Nothing
* Thanks to my good friend, Tim Carter, for sharing this amazing story and for sparking this post.
Exactly. Neighbor walked by my sidewalk the other day. Normally, I don't talk to people. But she's a runner. Through a quirk of fate, we shared the final 6 miles of Detroit last October. Could not stop talking about training, the race, the next race.
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