Running With Jack

I'm sitting alone in my office today, everyone else is on vacation. I just poured a cup of coffee and sat for a moment thinking about what a great year of running I've had so far. I'm not talking about record setting stuff, although I have had a couple of those races, no I mean how much enjoyment I have had through my running. I've ran a lot more with my running club this year, that's been really great. I've also done a few runs with members outside the club runs and find that tremendous. I hope to continue doing this, maybe even find a regular running partner.

As I sit here I find myself thinking ahead to next year. Last night I added several tentative races for 2009 to the margin of my blog, I have high ambitions. I really don't know if my wife will sign off on all these, or if my job will permit the training time necessary to complete all these. But I find satisfaction in knowing that, time permitting, I have a very good chance of completing all these goals and more.

That latter point I don't take for granted, it was only 5-6 years ago that I was 70+ pounds overweight and wore myself out on a good flight of stairs. When I line up for my 21st marathon/ultra on the 21st I will be sure to take a moment and thank my heavenly Father for giving me this ability. I'm not an elite runner, I don't finish in the front, but I do try to keep improving. Not at each race, but gradually over a series of races. I don't have patience in a lot (too many) areas of my life, but somehow patience is my companion when I am out on the trail. I pray that I will have lots of good years left to celebrate running and racing, if not, well I have already enjoyed a cup full.