Noticing the New

So, today I decided to go out for an easy run.  Last night we had stayed out rather late having dinner and conversation with a dear colleague.

So, I slept till 6, fixed a smoothie for Sherry, tried to get the internet working in our house again (although eventually left that to the 17 year old), got the weather for Sherry from here to Boston (where she is now with Christopher to he can audition tomorrow at the New England Conservatory), and then started some coffee.  Then, I ran.

A nice and easy pace, a bit above 8:30/mile for five miles.

A course I had never run exactly before.  Up to Lake, across to Bellona, down to Springlake, across Northern, up Charles, across Stevenson, down Bellona, across Gittings, down York, up Hollen, across Yorkshire, down Cedarcroft, up Northwood, along Woodson, and home.

It was relaxing.

It loosened my legs.

What was new?  

Running that route with ice on the ground.  I've run something similar to that many times.  I've run it with friends.  I've run into friends.  But today, I was just alone.  Not a problem, but running alone is something that I have mentioned many times.  In some ways that is actually an old thing as my return to running starting in 2006-2007 began as a solitary activity.  But since 2010, I have been running so much with others.  Training groups.  Back on My Feet.  And many, many times with good friends.  

I still love to run, even when alone but it is not the same.

What else has been new?

Going to a professional hockey game.  Great sport in person.  So fast.  I have a much better appreciation for it now than I ever did as a kid. And in person is great.

Yesterday at church, I heard the organ and thought,"Oh, it must be John."  But, alas, I realized quickly how wrong I was.  I wrote about John a few weeks ago when he passed away suddenly.  New guy playing.  A little more upbeat. Not quite in sync with the cantor.  Definitely a different style.  Better or worse?  I'm not going to take a stand on that one.  Just different.

At mass the announcements were old and a few other things were out of order.  But Fr. Sam encouraged everyone to take it in stride.  And most people did.  Good humor.  Understanding.  Realizing how difficult it is to continue to manage the parish office with all the changes with John's absence.

And, today I taught the kids about the 10 commandments.  But it was interesting that in this chapter that I serendipitously had planned for today mentioned the first saint from Sudan whose feast day was yesterday and who was mentioned at mass.

Always new things.

Always things to ponder.

While I run.

While I drive.

And life is good.

Much needed day off from running tomorrow after running 61 miles in eight of the last nine days.  Although I would love to burn a bunch of the calories I ate today.

Life goes on. 

And I close with an update on my location at 232.5 miles: on E Beau St in or approaching Washington, PA, and getting closer to West Virginia every day.  

We All Need a Little Encouragement Sometimes

So, today I was running a little behind this morning.  Some work.  Some bills.  Some preparing for a work trip I ended up not making because of the weather.  And some looking online for school closures that never occurred.

Nevertheless, I ran 5 miles at the Y.  Each at an average pace of 7:30 for a quick workout on the treadmill.  

Up to 191.3 miles.  Still chugging west on PA Route 31.  It is a reminder that Pennsylvania is a long state east to west.

And, as I near the end of the first 10% of the year, I am in a great position to be on track.

Biggest lesson I realized since I last wrote--yesterday I commented on something religiously profound that Father Sam mentioned yesterday.  The link between the body of Christ held by Simeon and the body of Christ each Catholic holds in the Eucharist.

Today, I will comment on one of Father Sam's other comments.  He mentioned in several ways that people don't really know what they want or need.  Specifically, he commented that people don't know when to ask for help.  Himself included in some health struggles that he had recently.

I thought about my run on Saturday.  It was not bad--as one of my running friend pointed out.  I still ran 11 miles.  

And a lot of people run slower than I do on a slow day.

But I had two other running friends directly lift my spirits by reminding me that we all have days that we look on as hard days and one other running friend put up a similar post.  My one friend pointed out that sometimes we even have years we don't look back on fondly rather than just days.

I asked for help.  But only meekly.  I apologized for asking for help.

Both friends who gave me a lift directly said something to the effect of "that is what fellow runners are here for."  Vent.  Complain.  Let it out.  Get it out.  And then move on.  And don't feel the need to apologize for asking someone to listen.  "We've got you covered,"  

It is a reassuring feeling.

Of course, it doesn't just come from fellow runners.  It is a feeling in family as well.  

People you know you can count on when you need a friend.  

Love that old tune sung by James Taylor--you've got a friend.  

To close out, James Taylor leads to thoughts of greasy pizza before a concert at Penn State.  Thoughts of greasy pizza lead to thoughts of countless calories.  Thoughts of countless calories lead to thoughts of a celebration with frozen yogurt for Christopher's first two music school acceptances and a special hot chocolate when we got home for the parents to celebrate.  All those calories remind me I need an extra half mile to mile in the morning.  Thus I should get some rest.  Good night.  Tomorrow I will do some more miles on the treadmill and continue my virtual trek across Pennsylvania.