Well here it is almost Christmas. There is snow on the ground and cold outside. I am on vacation too! So much has happened it seems in the past month and since I have posted anything on this blog. I have wanted to write but just didn't know what to say. Some of it was quite depressing. Each time I post I feel some pressure to entertain or offer some tid-bit of wisdom. I can be very preachy and even quite sentimental when the mood hits me. You have been warned.
The road race season ended with the Reindeer Romp. Love that race! This year my achilles was aching and Dr. Murer advised I not push the pace. No worries there doc. It was snowing and cold. I enjoyed the race even though the pace was so slow. Most of my enjoyment came from getting to be with Amanda. Season over. Another Mag 7 championship. I'll take it. At 47 I will gladly find my glory anywhere I can get it.
Life has a way of slapping you in the face and causing you to step back and take a good hard look. A hard look at yourself and what is important. I love running. I love Amanda. At times I am at the top of the mountain and feeling better than I thought I ever could. Then suddenly I am in the depths of despair, in pain and crying out for some small comfort. Running and relationships are similar sometimes. I cherish both and want only the best from both. But just wanting it isn't enough I have found. Along with the good is bad, with joy there is also sadness. I wish we didn't have to suffer so much in order to appreciate what we have. I will admit I have taken much for granted. Not on purpose or with any ill intent. I am ashamed and sorry when I do. I want so much more from my running and in my relationships too. I guess I have to take the good with the bad and keep forever on course and true. I am quite stubborn and do not lose faith easily. I keep learning more about life and myself the older I get. I am still learning about running too. Maybe I should have eased back into running 3 years ago. Maybe my achilles would have been spared? It is so difficult for me to ease into anything competitive. I can promise you one thing I am loyal and determined. I will get well and add miles. Miles on the road, the hills, the grass, the trails, and the track. I will also add to my character and try my best to become the person I want to be. Someone who can do for others, who can be an example, someone who has the courage to do what is best and right. Isn't life wonderful!?
I have ran 3 times in the past 2 1/2 weeks. My mind has wondered and questioned. I am tired of wondering. I will make things right and in the end I hope to be stronger and wiser. I already miss racing. But I think this is a lesson for me. A lesson in patience and perseverance. Good things come to he who waits? I guess so but maybe there is more to it than sitting idly by wishing things will get better. I believe each of us has to take some personal responsibility for our lives, for what we have become and will be. I have thoroughly enjoyed the racing the past 2 years. Now that I am resting and attempting to get well I look forward to being with the loves of my life forever. My Christmas wish: spending the rest of my life with Amanda and running my Griffy run while it is snowing. That isn't too much to ask Santa for is it?
Being injured gives you a different perspective, doesn't it? Great post... I hope you get everything you want for Christmas, Frank! I hope you both have a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteInsightful and beautiful lesson about life. Since we deal with relationships and running on a daily basis, it's impossible to not have to face the facts once in a while. I wish you the best of success in all areas for next year Frank. You're definitely worth all of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, Frank. Every year when I expect to hit a groove in the summertime and get in really good shape, my body betrays me in some way. All I wanted was to run a little bit! Can't I even do that? Maybe, once you hit the turn around point in life, and we have, the lessons are different. We get to learn how to let go, or at least how to make the most of what is left to us.
ReplyDeleteI expect to run until I cross the last finish line.