running chick's post about her triumphant hartford maration summed up PERFECTLY why i love running and why it is my metaphor for life. in her words:
I am keenly aware of the fact that my race day was the stuff that dreams are made of. I recognize that everything fell in to place perfectly, and that I am very, very lucky to have had it all come together. While running the race, I did remark, more than once, that I felt that the universe owed me this day..that I had earned it. Last year's marathon was a rain-soaked, menstrual challenge. Then I spent the winter working on my ITB issues. When I tried to run the San Diego marathon in June, I picked up a bacterial Ick-Fest which resulted in a 'Did Not Start' that broke my heart.
I kept working hard on my training. No matter what else life threw at me, I made sure to protect my training time. It wasn't always easy, and there were days when I wasn't sure I could pull it all off. I sacrificed time with family and friends, the cleanliness of my house, and a great deal of sleep. But I had faith in my Coach and more importantly, faith in myself and I wasn't going to give up or give in. I had a bone to pick with the Hartford Marathon, and I wasn't going to lose this time.
On race day, all we can do is run the race that is placed before us to the best of our abilities. Sometimes, we are handed a pile of crap. Other times, we are handed a gift.
I took my gift and ran all the way to the finish line with it. I hope you get a gift for your next race too.
i'm not gonna lie, i got all emotional reading it. it's like she was in my head, in my shoes. my non-runner friends always wonder why in the world i choose running, of all things, for exercise. but it's more than just exercise. and when you come down to it, it's more than just running too. it's about pushing your mortality. pushing your puny, yet powerful human body and spirit. and in a world where things are so convenient and impersonal and techonological (for lack of a better word), running just gets at the heart of what is basic and true about human nature: taking the gift of life with all it's crap and splendor and celebrating the journey day after day, mile after mile.
it's been a month since i've run and i miss it so much. i can tell the tendon is getting better and being busy with moving and packing has helped keep my mind off the asics gathering dust in the closet. but this time off has taught me a lesson in patience that i hope sticks with me.
3 comments:
Hang in their, girl. I was sidelined for 3 months and another time for 6. It sucks. It's like your right arm is gone. But just as you see running as a metaphor for life, try to see what your injury could mean as well (I mean beyond the fact that it sucks). For example, I took away from my injury that I was trying to project ahead and rush through life. The injury told me to slow down and re-focus. Does that make sense?
i hear ya chicago...i'm guilty of the same thing. i'm learning i'm very achievement-driven and need constant stimulation and challenge and running was always a good "fix" for that.
and thanks for the support. what i hate more than being injured is my whining about it ;)
Not whining... venting. A necessary release. And we all hear you on this one - it sucks to not be able to run. But hang in there, heal up properly, and you'll return to the game a wiser runner. Sure, we've all read the advice, but sometimes the only mistakes we can learn from are our own.
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