Birthday Run

I did it.


One full hour of hitting the snooze button and arguing that I could run later today - knowing full well that never happens - then I got out of bed and hit the pavement.


I'm late for work, but work will always be there.


I made the mistake of leaving my iphone at home - a mistake because 300 m into my run I rounded the corner to see one of those giant full moons setting over Lake Superior.  The reds, pinks and purples in that moon were such a gift for a birthday girl.  I ran home to get the camera knowing full well I would be too late.  Those moons are beautiful but fleeting.  Best to stay and watch it set below the lake than to run away and hope to capture that beauty.


However, I did get the iphone and I won't make that mistake again.


My run was only 4K, but I did a section on cobbles (not smart) and a run up to the lookout (beautiful) as well as some wicked tempo, so I won't look at this as failure.


No run is a failure.

Early morning in Terrace Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

This is my last hour to be 50. Tomorrow I will be 51.


I feel like I have nothing to show for 50. I did a half-marathon, then quit running again.


I love running. I love being a runner. I love being able to just run and run and run, effortlessly, because I am fit and I am a runner.


But this year I have shrunk away from running, and most other things I love, while learning to be a high school principal.


As I leave 50, I realize that no amount of wanting to be a runner will make me a runner. I need to run to be a runner, and running right now is hard.


Mostly what I do right now is sit. But I am the only one who can change that.


So here is my goal 18 weeks from today: http://www.thunderbaymarathon.com/


It says 123 days.  I know it is actually 125 - I counted.


It is not many days.  There are no days to waste.  I have to commit to this.


I'll start when I turn 51.