Another training season in review
I wrote this on the eve of the training season to launch our Rockin' 'n' Runnin' essay board. Given tomorrow marks my final run with the group, I thought I'd repost it here. Whether you enjoy running with others or just your thoughts, I hope you can relate.
The run where you discovered something new about your surroundings.
The run where you discovered something new about yourself.
The run where you were so lost in thought that you veered off course, battled a snake, rescued someone’s dog, stopped for a latte and still made it back before the rest of us.
The run where every muscle, tendon, joint and inch of skin kept quiet for once, so you finally could contribute to the conversation.
The run that threw everyone for a loop.
The run that ended with the group finding the solution to world peace. Or at least where to grab breakfast.
The run where you made it the entire trip without stopping to use the restroom.
The run where someone you admire gave you -- yes, you -- a thumb’s up.
The run where you sized up that huge hill just ahead, turned to the stranger struggling alongside you and said, “We can do this.”
The run where every fiber of your being secretly rejoiced in finally making it multiple times around that oval track, in record time and with energy to spare.
The run where you gave considerable thought to escaping Tuesday night’s post-run crunches, and then you did them anyway and felt the better for it.
The run where a once impossible pace or distance became an achievable goal after all. And you admitted these coaches really do know what they’re talking about.
The run in which you found religion.
The run in which you found a soulmate.
The run where you suddenly realized that second melon margarita last night was a big, big mistake.
The run in which you and a new running partner conceived creative ways to sneak in more pasta before the other, non-runners in the house can complain.
The run where you decided that even if the bathroom scale isn’t budging, the looser feel of your clothes is all that matters.
The run where someone mistook you for an athlete. And then it dawned on you: That was no mistake.
The run where you discovered something new about your surroundings.
The run where you discovered something new about yourself.
The run where you were so lost in thought that you veered off course, battled a snake, rescued someone’s dog, stopped for a latte and still made it back before the rest of us.
The run where every muscle, tendon, joint and inch of skin kept quiet for once, so you finally could contribute to the conversation.
The run that threw everyone for a loop.
The run that ended with the group finding the solution to world peace. Or at least where to grab breakfast.
The run where you made it the entire trip without stopping to use the restroom.
The run where someone you admire gave you -- yes, you -- a thumb’s up.
The run where you sized up that huge hill just ahead, turned to the stranger struggling alongside you and said, “We can do this.”
The run where every fiber of your being secretly rejoiced in finally making it multiple times around that oval track, in record time and with energy to spare.
The run where you gave considerable thought to escaping Tuesday night’s post-run crunches, and then you did them anyway and felt the better for it.
The run where a once impossible pace or distance became an achievable goal after all. And you admitted these coaches really do know what they’re talking about.
The run in which you found religion.
The run in which you found a soulmate.
The run where you suddenly realized that second melon margarita last night was a big, big mistake.
The run in which you and a new running partner conceived creative ways to sneak in more pasta before the other, non-runners in the house can complain.
The run where you decided that even if the bathroom scale isn’t budging, the looser feel of your clothes is all that matters.
The run where someone mistook you for an athlete. And then it dawned on you: That was no mistake.
