Sub4at44

Last week after my long run I had an ache in my right leg that I couldn’t ignore. I had felt this same pain before after running a half marathon. It comes when I increase mileage too quickly or run a race that I had not trained for properly. I started out on my long run this morning and feeling good and looking forward to the road ahead.

About 25 minutes into my run I could feel that ache in my right leg but I kept running thinking it would go away. WRONG!!! Nearing the 3 mile mark I made a decision that I had never been forced to make before in all my years of running and cycling. I stopped running, turned around and headed for home but not running. I was walking.

In all my years of running and cycling for recreation and for local competitions, I had never quit and had to walk. This was hard for me to accept but I knew that if I kept going I would really hurt myself and really miss some training time.

I never understood athletes or performers that were devastated or distraught when they could no longer practice their craft until this morning and I understood. It was a painful understanding. As I walked the few miles home I began to feel what it’s like to not be able to do something you love. I understand the person in the wheelchair that looks at people running, walking and playing and thinks “what I wouldn’t give to be able to do that”. I understood the athlete or performer that is aged or injured and cries openly upon realizing they can no longer do what their heart aches to do.

I am not permanently injured nor aged but not being able to finish my Sunday run that I enjoy so much and probably miss a week of training is disappointing and hurtful. We take so much for granted and so ungrateful.

I will return in a week or so to my marathon training and I will have a new passion and appreciation for not just running but being able to live without being inconvenienced by an unwilling body. No longer will I sigh and avoid a training session. It is not just the running I will cherish and appreciate but the ability. The ability to experience daily life without inconvenience or hindrance. The ability to take what I feel in my heart and mind and command my body to feel and experience.

I will cherish the ability to simply, DO.

Comments (0)

Today was the first time I have done a mid week run longer than 60 min since I started training. It’s hard to get in a 60+ min run during the week because the days are so short. I started my workday late because I had a mid-morning appointment.

Out running when everyone is at work brings out some odd stares from passing motorists. They look at you like “why you out here running, you must not have a job”?

I wondered what would I be doing if I didn’t work. What if I didn’t have to work, if I were financially independent? How great would it be to be financially independent? With each stride a stream of things that I would like to do, learn and accomplish filled my head.

I would go to Antarctica, Alaska, climb Mt. Rainier, live overseas during kids summer break, see the country by rail, read a book a week and dream. Dream.

All the things that came into my head seemed so attainable. I not once thought “I don’t think I can do that” or “that’s probably not gonna happen”. The desire it takes to train for and finish a marathon is powerful. Applying that same desire to anything in life and I am sure success will be the outcome.

Training Info:

Route: Church@Burch>Ellison>Dogwood Trl>return

71 min HRM Avg 168

Comments (0)