Holding onto my head (I have a marathon this week!)

 I like to use pencil when I can. It's easier to erase. Life doesn't always give us that option though, so we best muddle through our misgivings humbly...

I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with this, but it popped into my head while thinking about this next marathon I'm running.

I'm getting ready to run my fourth marathon (in four years) at the end of the week. It will be my first 'out of town' marathon. The idea is beginning to grow on me.

Last week I would have told you I didn't think I was ready. My left calf/achilles was bothering me, and I was feeling pretty run-down physically and even more so mentally. Today, while still not all that confident, I at least feel better.

I had a really good 8-mile run yesterday morning. I don't know what it is about 8 miles, but they always seem to be my best runs. I averaged right around 10-minute miles, which was faster than I intended to go. It helped erase the rotten 3 miles I slogged through on Friday.

If I could average 10-minute miles (including stops) for the marathon I would be ecstatic. That would be better than my previous best of 4:30, and would also help me finally get past "Oprah time." I really don't want to get too caught up in finishing in a particular time - just being able to run and finish at all is what I want to enjoy - but if I could do it in under Oprah's 4:29 that would be a bonus!

Part of 'keeping my head' will be not getting sucked into goals. I mean, yes, I have this back-of-the-mind sorta idea that I'd like to run a marathon a year for 20 years... but it's not really a goal I want to achieve. It's more a trajectory I'd like to be on with my life. I want to live by the habits necessary to be able to do that. So I'm always "training" so-to-speak, whether it is running, resting, or recovering. I don't really expect I can run a marathon every year. Injuries will occur and other events beyond my control. But I think I will be a healthier person if I always have that mindset.

And, mind you, I am not really a "runner." I am slow, and that's okay. I'm not competing to win anything. Just today I saw this quote shared by Hal Higdon:

In any long-distance race, except at the elite level, you do not beat others, as you might in a 100-meter dash. Instead, you achieve a personal victory.

I like that. I also like the email updates I've been receiving from the race director for this marathon. He's a card, and I am thinking of making this my go-to marathon every year almost because of it. He shared this the other day:

Who Wins Marathons?

 

Let me start out by doing something that no one has ever done before. I'm going to quote the Bible out of context.

 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one wins the prize?"

 

Well, in the gospel according to Marathon Don, it doesn't work that way. Yes, there will be some really, speedy guy who crosses the finish line first. And he'll get his finisher's medal and a hug. And a trophy. 

 

But here, everybody wins. 

 

"I've lost 100+ pounds, and I'm running a marathon." 

 

Is that a win?

 

Runners running to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to put in new water wells for villages in Africa.

 

Is that a win?

 

My Team Triumph helps people who had no hope of ever experiencing the joy we get from being athletes by helping them participate in a marathon.

Is that a win?

In 2015, I got an email from a 70 year old who had hip replacements. He knew he couldn't move very fast, but he just wanted to do one more marathon and he couldn't find a race that would let him take as much time as it might take him. Of course, I said yes. His son stuck with him all day, as he walked the course with walking sticks. He arrived at the finish line close to 5:30 p.m., finishing DFL (Dead Freakin' Last) with a smile on his face and his son at his side.

 

WAS THAT A WIN?

 

He got his finisher's medal and a hug too.

 

There area as many stories as there are runners. Some of us race to finish first--overall or in our age groups. Some of us race to conquer our own fears and limitations. Some to test their mettle. Some to help others. The finish line is a place of VICTORY, for everyone who crosses it. Can't wait to watch YOU win at our finish line.

Today Don used the word "RE-FREAKIN'-LAX." I/we've done about all we can do to prepare at this point. There's nothing more to do but wait.

I've shared before that some of the best advice I ever received was remembering to smile when I run. Not everyone can do this, not everyone gets to do this, not everyone receives the same victory feeling. It's a huge privilege that I have the time and capability - no matter how slow I go - to do this for the past few years.

It's kind of how I feel about the vaccine. Rather than look at it as something someone is forcing down my throat, we Americans are pretty privileged to even have the option (and it's FREE)! I read today where Nigeria, a country of 100-some million people, has only vaccinated like 1% of their population. Most of us don't realize how fortunate we are.

So, my main focus this week is to try to eat good, sleep well, not drink too much alcohol (though I do want to drink a lot of water), and keep from losing my head. I want to keep things in perspective, and try to enjoy things.

I also want to try to find my old children's book 'The Man Who Lost His Head.' I think I have it somewhere. I'm not sure why I was thinking of it this morning, but I could use an occasional punch in the face.

***

Psalm 62:1

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”