Perspective

As you probably read in my race report, I was a bit self critical at the idea that I let an unexpected section of course get to me mentally and ultimately led me to give up free time on the course.  But don't get me wrong, I am super happy at the time I ran.  Afterall, it was 9 minutes faster than any previous marathon and I never actually hit a wall at any point in the race.  However, it doesn't mean I'm satisfied.  I mean, as competitive athletes, satisfaction after a performance might be short term (ie I'm satisfied that I ran the best race I could), but in the long term, I'm not satisfied.  I'm never satisfied...its what has me coming back to train harder each and every time. 

In other words - I still have a lot more work to do. 

I know I am faster.  I know I will be faster.  And I know that my commitment to hard work will lead me in that direction.  But all that said, I also need to take a few steps back and grab a cup full of some perspective on where I was, and where I am, and where I know I'll be.

It wasn't long ago that I was sweating my foot off in a boot in the middle of the summer, inspired by other runners around me.  And then, I was able to shed the boot and walk around like "normal" people.  Not much longer, I had the blessing of my doctor to run.  For one minute.  That one minute was glorious though.  And one became two, which became ten and before I knew it, I was getting back to training again.  But it is so easy in this world of instant gratification to take for granted the things we have.  Take running, for example.  Not everyone is able to run (let alone run fast) and not everyone understands how much enjoyment running can bring - whether it is an appreciation of nature of the thrill of making your heart beat a little faster.

Running isn't a right - it is a privilege.  And on Sunday, I had the privilege of being able to toe the line and run a marathon.  It's easy to forget that fact, when you are sitting there kicking yourself because you walked an extra 30 seconds and could have finished 17 seconds faster to dip under 3:20.  Who cares?  I ran a freaking marathon while the rest of the world was probably still sleeping!

I just think that we all need a few reminders every now and again to pinch ourselves, because without the perspective of appreciating all that we are able to do, it is too easy to get caught up in the minutia of a matter of seconds.

So get out there this weekend, look around you, and ENJOY what you're doing whatever it is, whether it is walking for 10 minutes or running for 10 hours.  We do this because we find enjoyment in it.  And if it isn't fun, why do it?

Have a great weekend!