Never Say Never

Every runner has days were things click and running is effortless. But, that only happens every once in a while. This morning while running along the canal on it's most scenic section - Great Falls - I pondered my first real marathon in October. Yes, I've finished a few, but I've never raced a real marathon and been ready. I took a couple of gels throughout the run, but it wasn't flowing. Sometimes it's just about going and finishing. Despite thoughts of stopping - I just kept on going with Mark. 2o miles and a little extra for the day. Under 2 hours and 18 minutes later the run was completed. Most of my friends who aren't "hardcore" as they tell me think I'm crazy. I turned down a few parties, but saw Transfomers to be able to make the run possible. Ten to Fifteen solid long runs like this and I'll see what I can do at Marine Corps.

I guess I'm supposed to write a goal here. That's what I tell the kids I teach and I coach. Okay, I have a goal for Marine Corps. But, for now - I want to do what I'm doing for the first time in a long time. I love running every single day and I miss it when I don't. Enjoy this season of my life. I'm not going to miss anything. The last year of my life has been crazy - I took a second job to pay off my car, I'm working on my masters, teaching, coaching, maintaining my running, and trying to stay keep up with my friends and stayinvolved at my church. I could list more about I'll stop for this one. I'm sick of being busy. I'm slowing down in life, but speeding up on the roads. :) I say no quite a bit and said no to quite the teaching and coaching offer this spring. I even stepped down from coaching in the spring. Yes, it's actually official. It was just the perfect time and I'm very excited about next year in the classroom and coaching. But, for the first time I've realized that Maryland now feels like home. It's taken me a long time to realize that. Sure, I love Illinois and Michigan. Okay, I don't really love Michigan. And, of course, there are dozens of days in February alone where I would love to be in Florida, but as seasons change so do each of us. My heart is here in Maryland.

Friday marks my first race in a long time. It's just a 5K, but this could be the start of something. Running means a lot of more to me than when I first began fourteen years ago. It's now my ministry and evey run teaches me something. This run reminded to never say never and now I can't get the fray's song out of my head. I'll touch more on this later, but it's 9 now. And, well, the only bad thing about running 20 miles is that I'm just about out right now.

........You can never say never to a dream that is still unfinished.

Off on Friday, 8 easy on Satuday, and 20 + on Sunday for a total of 63 Miles this week. 70 next and then a recovery week. :)