Today, I took my fourth day in a row off from running. I had not planned to take that many days off in a row. But, after an extra long run last weekend, I got busy at work, and I spent time with the wife and kids that I would not trade for any running accomplishment. Over time, I will continue to work out how to balance everything I want to do, but since Thursday Sherry, sleeping in while camping, the kids, (even the dog who we took camping with us), and work were more important.
But as I looked at my calendar, I also noticed something. After today and before the Baltimore running festival, there are exactly 40 days. 40 days has a lot of symbolism. Of course, it all began with Noah. And I sang along with the Hooters song in high school that mentioned it. Then there is Lent every year. Then there is the worship band that I played with at church for parts of 7 years that was called 40 More Days. The past two Lenten seasons, I have tried to blog for 40 days in a row.
But this 40 Days is a bit more meaningful in a number of ways. First, with the relatively new position and the kids making big choices in the coming year, I have a different focus. I don't have a marathon on the horizon for more than a year--if ever. (Although all my close running friends think I will be back.) Without a marathon on the horizon, I didn't run the 20 mile race this Labor Day weekend that I had run the last three. That has me more focused as I have been keeping myself in pretty good shape since the Boston Marathon and keeping my weight pretty well under control, but with the four days of not running, a lot of sweet food while camping, and an important half marathon on the horizon with 40 days between now and then, I started thinking.
What can I do?
No simple answers to that one. But in addition to making sure that I have the best run I can have after 40 days, I also want to make it bigger. I want to have the best run. But I also want to be a better dad. A better husband. A better neighbor. Better at my job. Better at teaching Sunday school. Generally use this time of focus and discernment to make myself a better person.
And what is the most important thing I could do along those lines?
Probably take the lesson I have consistently been able to bring to fruition for running--improve through practice and bring things to closure for the race--and take that to the rest of my life. If I could remember that I've only improved my running in my early 40's by doing it over and over again and take that with me to other things in life, then I could do a lot with that. And if I could take the fact that I also raise the bar on my running and then taper and then execute for the race to other things in my life, that would help as well.
To be a better person in 40 days, I could learn a lot from being a better runner. Not that running should dominate. Just that the lessons extend.
I can't wait to see where the next 40 days take me.
But as I looked at my calendar, I also noticed something. After today and before the Baltimore running festival, there are exactly 40 days. 40 days has a lot of symbolism. Of course, it all began with Noah. And I sang along with the Hooters song in high school that mentioned it. Then there is Lent every year. Then there is the worship band that I played with at church for parts of 7 years that was called 40 More Days. The past two Lenten seasons, I have tried to blog for 40 days in a row.
But this 40 Days is a bit more meaningful in a number of ways. First, with the relatively new position and the kids making big choices in the coming year, I have a different focus. I don't have a marathon on the horizon for more than a year--if ever. (Although all my close running friends think I will be back.) Without a marathon on the horizon, I didn't run the 20 mile race this Labor Day weekend that I had run the last three. That has me more focused as I have been keeping myself in pretty good shape since the Boston Marathon and keeping my weight pretty well under control, but with the four days of not running, a lot of sweet food while camping, and an important half marathon on the horizon with 40 days between now and then, I started thinking.
What can I do?
No simple answers to that one. But in addition to making sure that I have the best run I can have after 40 days, I also want to make it bigger. I want to have the best run. But I also want to be a better dad. A better husband. A better neighbor. Better at my job. Better at teaching Sunday school. Generally use this time of focus and discernment to make myself a better person.
And what is the most important thing I could do along those lines?
Probably take the lesson I have consistently been able to bring to fruition for running--improve through practice and bring things to closure for the race--and take that to the rest of my life. If I could remember that I've only improved my running in my early 40's by doing it over and over again and take that with me to other things in life, then I could do a lot with that. And if I could take the fact that I also raise the bar on my running and then taper and then execute for the race to other things in my life, that would help as well.
To be a better person in 40 days, I could learn a lot from being a better runner. Not that running should dominate. Just that the lessons extend.
I can't wait to see where the next 40 days take me.
No comments:
Post a Comment