Well into today's run, we came across one of those New Year's resolution runners. Huffing and puffing, little headgear on top. The thoughts and memories came flooding back as we finished our run.
Three years ago today, that was me. About 40 lbs heavier. A severe case of winter blahs. Never ran since high school. Biked semi-serious, more semi than serious. Decided to get off the couch of doom (credit Steve Runner with that turn of phrase.) I put on my department store running shoes, some cotton sweats and tried to run a 1/4 mile down to the cemetery east of our place. Winded, with shins burning, I managed to run/walk about a mile. It was a start.
Up before down, in the cold winter, an initial badge of courage. Cornbelt half marathon training, injury became my first 5k. Made every mistake a newb can. Got the idea I could run a marathon. Read a book 'Four Months to a Four Hour Marathon' (actually borrowed from the library cause I'm a tightwad.) Punched more holes in the belt. Signed up for marathon training group. Sat across a picnic table from a woman named 'Joan' who said 'I could do it'. Met a bald headed guy who promised to 'pace me' for four hours (whatever that meant.)
Met a salty former navy guy who wanted to run that pace. Met a massage therapist who hauled me in on my first twenty miler in the heat of August.
Four months of torture. Everything hurt. People enjoy this? What the heck is 'Gu' anyway? "I'm not ready for this lifestyle commitment" was the answer to "do I plan to keep running?"
Somewhere, somehow, something north of the neck and south of the hair changed. The introvert found a bunch of new friends. The geek stopped looking at his shoes, and found that he could actually talk to the female half of the human race. The winter blahs lessened. The same old problems at work were the same old problems, but somehow they looked better after a run. Running as a social event. Who would have thought.
Fast forward to today. Sitting around the runner's breakfast table with my wife, now a marathoner. Sitting near my running partner of over two years now. (I remember first thinking "Wow, she's fast, I'll never keep up with her.") A whole new group of friends, goals I could not have dreamed of three years ago today. Hope Pass is calling...
On New Years Day. Thinking of 'auld lang syne,' of days of the past. Men, in particular, at mid-life take one of two paths. One path leads to the slow inevitable decline, a few extra pounds a year at a time to wreck and ruin. One path leads to rage against the reaper, mile upon mile of spitting in the eye of entropy, randomness, breakdown. (Followed by the same inevitable decline, but hopefully the ride is longer, at least more interesting.)
I give thanks in the New Year for my friends, family and the latter path taken.
Happy New Year. Be Well.
"...Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
-Larry
4 comments:
Well said my man. Glad to play a small part in your positive transformation.
-The path that rages against the reaper....
Put me on that road
Well written piece Larry. I thought running was something one did by his/herself. Tough guy kind of stuff. My wife pushed me to join a marathon training group, about three years ago, best thing I ever did for both of us. Never thought it could be a social event that was healthy, and fun, even without beer, well sometimes. They say that successful people surround themselves with like minded successful people. This group is a shining example of that. Thanks to all and fair winds and high seas for the new year.
JayRip
Always interesting to read or listen to your comments on our runs, Larry! Never forget the positive influence you have on your friends/dare I say "runner"s lives!!
I think I know who "Challenge Yourself!" is. woohoo....
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