Someone very wise once told me that it is the spaces between the notes that truly makes the music. I wonder if that holds true for interruptions on the run. I don’t think so ..insert eye roll.
Way back when in 2017 I was on a serious running kick. I was starting out with a 10k. I had run this 10k many times and this year I trained hard and was ready to be better than ever. Life changing interruption when my Dad passed away the day before the race and so did my mojo for making it my year to do all things running. It’s way too hard to run with a heavy heart even though I tried.
Fast forward to 2019 and I made a serious effort to train for a marathon. I struggled in the summer heat when I usually swim and bike instead of run but I was determined. So determined in fact that when we were on the Eastern Shore celebrating our anniversary I decided to go for an early morning run to beat the July heat. I was kicking it despite the rising temperature and enjoying the quiet of the small town and its classic old homes. In the enthusiasm of the moment and giving myself a mental high five I decided to double back and do one more circle around the block. My toe caught the uneven sidewalk and I went flying. Didn’t break anything but bruised my entire left side. I think a break would have been less painful. Also this made for a very romantic anniversary…NOT!
Running put on hold…so was walking and moving in general.
There must be something about “one last go around” because thats how I broke my wrist ice skating in 2015.
2020 was MY year. Do you see a pattern here? Not only did Covid happen but lots of things with my elderly mother that took up my time. I did a lot of biking to relieve stress but not much running. I did manage an 8k which along with a half marathon and a full marathon was open to do for 20 days in November on our beautiful Virginia Capitol to Capitol trail. I was grateful they had managed to make it seem like a real race. Well when I did it there were 3 of us out there but hey it is better than being alone.
An unusually warm day in November for the 8k
So here we are in 2021 and I sit in front of the computer writing this with ice on my foot.
Sigh
Despite the setbacks and being an all together cranky-ass ( said it before and I will say it again..running is my prozac) I am persevering. It is back to my original love which is triathlons. So if I can’t run or bike I am in search of a pool to start swimming.
Did I mention this is my least favorite thing to do?
Did I mention that the last time I lugged my aging body to the pool I happened to pick the time that the high school was practicing with all those young bodies right in my face as I slowly…and I mean super slowly made my way across the pool?
And yet I can’t give up, I can NOT tri. 🙂
Also being the somewhat snarky person I am, I may have just muttered under my breath that those young swimmers will get old like the rest of us…jokes on them..as it was on me.
I am also buoyed by the fact that should I be lucky enough to get all the training in I am still game for a marathon..virtual style..why? Lots of reasons.
I get to pick the date
I get to pick the weather
I get to pick the color of shirt…not so important but still a plus!
I get to pick my prize. I’m choosing a trip to Hawaii or a bottle of wine…or a trip to Italy..need to talk to the race sponsor..oh wait that is me.
I will be the winner no matter what. The one and only race I won in my age group they stopped giving out prizes (bottles of wine) at 40+. I went home a very unhappy camper…who does that?
I can take as long as I want . I seriously wanted to do the Honolulu Marathon held in December ( still do) Not only for the obvious reasons but also because we used to live there AND there is no time limit on the race..it runs on Hawaii time..you got this brau!
So yes I am still an over 50 ( way over) triathlete and writer triing to make a difference.
I will be writing more frequently about all things running, biking, swimming plus life in general because ..well because it’s my blog.
See you on the road, on the bike, in the pool and laughing at life’s little and big absurdities.
As always..Keep Triing Jennifer
