Funny people, runners. No matter where they start they always want more. Even the slow ones like me. For half marathoners it’s the marathon. For marathoners it’s a BQ. For BQers it’s another BQ or an ultra. And somewhere in the middle of all that are the people who decide one sport isn’t enough and sign up for Duathlons and Triathlons.
The thing I find most interesting is the types of runners I meet.
I find I gravitate toward the people who say “Go for it! Give it a shot!”
And I get very very frustrated with people who are quick with cautionary tales. Don’t do X! they say in horrified tones. Then they offer themselves or the failings of others as an example.
You know what? Keep it to yourself.
If someone wants to give me a tip I’m always willing to listen. I prefer, of course, to ask rather then suddenly find myself facing down a barrage of unsolicited advice but hey, whatever works. Feel free to talk but don’t EVER tell me what not to do.
I am not reckless and I am not foolish.
What I am is determined.
What is it that Henry Ford once said?
“Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re probably right.”
I’m tired of dire warnings cloaked in worry and affection.
We’re all adults. Yes we get pissy and crazy and do stupid things to ourselves and each other. But in the end we are all responsible for our own actions.
If I had followed the “smart” path I would have bailed on the first race I registered for on a dare. I would have stayed on my low carb diet until I lost the weight I’ve been obsessing over and then I would have registered for a nice safe local 5K when I reached 135 pounds.
I’m not 135 pounds and I didn’t register for a 5K until I’d registered for 7 half marathons.
Even then I only did it because I wanted the medal.
And you know what? Don’t tell me to be smart because I’m not smart every time I go out for a run with all the pounds I’m carrying above 135. You can keep your “don’t” because I’m going to. I’m going to run. I’m going to walk. I’m going to drag my sorry behind over 3 marathon finishlines so I can qualify for the Maniacs. And I’m doing it because I can.
If for some reason I am physically unable to do this then I won’t but I’ll know that until that point I gave my very best effort.
There are people in this country who sit on the couch 18 hours a day. Their lives can be measured only in the number of shows they have seen.
There are women in the world who live in fear, who hide themselves and cover their bodies, not because they choose to, but because they are terrified of the consequences of what will happen if they don’t. What would they pay, I wonder, for the opportunity to lace up a pair of running shoes and race through the streets of their neighborhoods with no worry for safety. Would they pause to worry about getting a blister?
I am grateful to have been born in this nation, at this time, with these opportunities. And these are the things I think about when I go out to do the miles. Funny how when I do that the blisters seem less painful, and the distance seems shorter.
Maybe if you stopped fixating on the dimples in the road of life you’d find the distance shorter too.