Being Me, Utterly and Completely: My Journey to 26.2

Ok, don't think this is the last blog...because it isn't.

Before I stop writing on this blog I thought I would talk a bit about how my training for running the Hartford Marathon is going, since I decided to run it while I was in Europe, I think that it deserves a mention on this blog!

One of the best things for me in Europe was being able to run without pain again.  I basically hadn't had that since the pre-season time trial my second year of high school, only a couple of days before I injured my foot and the day I made varsity.  I had always had that one regret, that after having made varsity I was never able to really be a great high school cross country runner, especially after having come so close.  I know I made numerous mistakes, like trying to run the day after I injured myself, and on into the season and still running even though doctors told me not to exert myself as much.  I just always needed to run.

One thing I really learned while I was in Europe was how to take life a little slower.  I think that when we do that it becomes a little easier to catch our second chances.

I say this because two weeks ago I injured the same foot, the exact same way during my marathon training.  This time, I took it slow, and I recovered and I'm back out there.


This really in a way does feel like a second chance for me.  I suppose its up to us to decide how to react differently the second (or third, or fourth,....) time around.

I think I love running because it is romantic and in a way heroic.  A runner is above all things a master of perseverance.  Even when you have run two miles and you feel like your shoes are full of cement, your legs ache and you are grasping for air, you dig in and you run another 1.2 miles with all you know you have left.  Your heart.

Running really is life.  

I have a feeling what happens on October 15th in the Hartford Marathon is going to be really special.  I can thank a lot of this to my experiences in Europe.    

I'm going to end this post with a quote that I've been keeping in my shoe during training:

"The music of a marathon is a powerful strain, one of those tunes of glory. It asks us to forsake pleasures, to discipline the body, to find courage, to renew faith and to become one's own person, utterly and completely." -George Sheehan

Out there, I am utterly and completely my own person, I have a renewed faith and somehow I have found that courage I used to have out there, that would fuel the unbelievable sprints I used to have at the end of a 5K race and everything else.   It is back and it feels amazing. 

I really feel like a runner again.

I'm so happy I went to Europe and I'm also so happy I'm back and doing this.

Love, SP

Back when I was too fast for cameras and wore short shorts.  Hopefully those days are here again.