Getting to the Starting Line

Getting to the Starting Line

The toughest part of the Boston Marathon is not getting to the finish line. The toughest part is getting to the starting line. Running 26.2 miles for a trained endurance athlete is a fairly simple thing to do. The tough part is becoming a trained endurance athlete.

I started running just under a year ago. I vividly remember the first run. It was just over four miles and I had to stop a number of times. It took me over 44 minutes. I was so discouraged that I wanted to quit. But I realized that quitting doesn't glorify God.

I remember those hot and humid days of summer. My well-insulated body felt like a polar bear on a tropical island. By the fall I had lost most of the insulation, but a hamstring injury slowed my down for a few weeks. Then came two months of snow and ice and cold.

And the biggest enemy of all: being complacent with the status quo. Not challenging or pushing oneself as far as one can go. Choosing comfort over pain and safety over risk.

I ran just over 19 miles today--mostly with Maureen. It was easy. I could have run lots further or lots faster, but probably not both.

I have come a long way from that four mile run a year ago. Running the 26.2 miles three weeks from today will be tough, but not nearly as tough as the daily decision to lace up the shoes regardless of how I feel or how it feels outside.

Happy birthday Amber! Thanks for being you and thanks for letting me be me. With us 1 + 1 = 3.