A Good Plan Actually

To run or not to run, that's the question.

It's really not a question; more of a struggle. Last Wednesday while holding pace on a short steep hill, I felt that familiar and dreaded twinge in my left calf. By the time I got home the twinge was a fully developed burn - same spot, third time in two years. I know the drill: Advil, ice, rest.

I'm a pretty motivated guy. I'll lace up and head out into a cold dark rain. I'll climb on my bike even if I know I've got twenty miles of head-wind. I don't mind a good challenge. What I do mind is sitting around waiting for my leg to get better.

It's cliche; it's trite; but here's what I'm going do; make some lemonade. I can walk and talk and hold hands with my wife as we stroll around the neighborhood. I can get off the skinny tires and roll around the waterfront with Michelle and her bright purple beach cruiser, which, by the way, gets way more admiring comments than my whizzy go fast bike ever does.

Running, cycling and being fit do not define me. They are things I love to do, but life doesn't stall because I can't train for a few days. I think tomorrow morning I'm going to sleep in and have a late breakfast with my wife.

That doesn't sound like a terrible plan, does it?    

Finding Balance

I'm never going to be an elite athlete.

I'm never going to be top ten. I'm just a regular guy trying to juggle too many interests to put in the time and miles that kind of commitment requires. I do enough to stay in shape and hopefully not embarrass myself on event day. There are only twenty-four hours in a day and I need at least seven of those for sleep.

I'm okay if I never stand on the podium. Really, I am. The hardest thing I do isn't motivation to run in the rain. It isn't getting on the bike when I'm still sore from the previous day's workout. The hardest thing I do is trying to find balance. I run. I ride. I play in a band, but the big tie-breaker for me is Michelle. Fitness, athletes, music are all important, but not like my marriage. In the podium of life, that's the first I'm looking for. I'll never never be the perfect husband, but I own it to Michelle to keep trying.

Happy Anniversary, Michelle. It's been twenty-two years of joy, laughter - lots and lots of laughter - and even a few tears, but I'd do it it over in a heartbeat. I love you madly, truly, deeply!



 

Extraordinary Things

The other night I went out and ran 8.5 miles. While I was running through the cold rain on the streets of our home town, Michelle was attending grant presentations for the City of Everett.

I pride myself on endurance. However, there are people in our community willing to do real work for the benefit for those who need it most. They are change-makers. They are affecting lives today, tomorrow and into the future.

As Michelle walked me through the inspirational plans and presentations she heard and her excitement for the ability of normal people to do extraordinary things in the lives of their fellow man, I was humbled.

Eight miles in the rain; any idiot can do that. It takes real dedication, heart and commitment to change the world. That's real endurance!

Rolling Stroll on a Beach Cruiser

My recent illness appears to be behind me. I had a couple of good runs this weekend. Michelle & I had a wonderful date in Seattle and I spent a little time in the yard getting the flower beds ready for Spring.

Did I mention, I am ready for Spring!

I am ready to run in warm rain as opposed to cold rain.

I am ready for it to be light out later that 5:00 PM.

I am ready to ride on a consistent basis rather than when clouds part, I have a sliver of daylight and the planets are aligned in the northern sky.



I'm ready for a rolling stroll around the marina with Michelle on her beach cruiser; especially if we end up on the deck at the Woodfire Grill for dinner.

Heck, I'm even ready to mow the lawn a couple times a week.

Whatever it takes, bring on Spring!