Our run club got an early start to celebrating for St. Patrick’s Day today. It makes it especially fun when St. Patrick’s Day is Sarah’s birthday as well. So for a day when we meet as a group to go run, we can dress a little goofy, and forget everything else going on for the moment. It is getting incredibly stressful with all of the hype and hysteria coming about because of the Coronovirus, COVID-19. Keep your head on, be smart, and be extra diligent when it comes to good hygiene and hand washing.
Jill brought treats to celebrate recent birthdays, not only for Sarah, but Amanda and Gavan. And she even brought the sanitary wipes!
We met for coffee afterwards, and continued the celebration. Here I am with Patricia.
You can still have a little enjoyment, but like I said, be smart about it, and be safe. The weather is also improving, so at least sections of the trail are now opening up more, especially with them being plowed earlier, the warm weather is making them clear to be able to use!
Spring is getting closer! Hopefully we will all being able to start enjoying some nice weather amidst everything else going on.
So when all else seems to be chaotic around you, remember what is important. Keep your head on, remain calm, use good judgement, and if you start feeling sick with a fever or cough, stay home and away from others! We need to let this pandemic “run” its course, and hopefully with as little disruption and inconvenience, with good health and safety for all. Strive everyday, and keep moving everybody!
You never stop learning. You never stop gaining experience. You just hope all those years that not only do you appreciate the help you have gained from others, but that you have helped somebody else. I think deep down we all strive for that. It is nice to know that maybe you made a difference to someone. Hopefully someone has made a difference for you as well. When things get tough, whether with trying to keep exercising, or just life in general, find the courage inside of you to keep going!
We all have struggles at one time or another. No question about this! But you need to surround yourself with others who can help you get through those tough times. It is amazing when you do. You begin to realize those times maybe are not so tough after all.
Our run group keeps on running, regardless of the weather. Sundays have now become a significant part of our week. I find it is the energy I need to take on a new week with a renewed outlook. The times we spend after the run can be even better!
Laughing, talking, teaching, learning…each week brings something else. Strive to be better. Never sit back and take things for granted. We don’t know when things will change. Keep pushing. Keep moving. Keep living!
A new mantra for me! Keep striving! The best is yet to come! I have no doubt what so ever that Sarah has been my motivator, my inspiration, my training partner…my wife! I always have a ready to go training partner for a run, or workout.
Utilize the help of those people around you. And, right now, take advantage of this improvement in weather we have been having. It is so much more enjoyable to be outside! It takes patience, discipline, and time. Keep striving for what you want. Baby steps if you need to.
I just got back from a great week of vacation at Disney, and two of our kids were able to come along, Megan and Nick. The weather was great, the scenery was great, and the rides and adventures were a ton of fun. The first evening there we already went to Magic Kingdom and took in the fireworks and light display of the castle! Wow!
Disney definitely knows how to put on a good show. The next day was spent at Epcot. Lots of walking that day. We put in 9 miles just walking that day. We knew it would be a lot of walking there so I did not run that morning first. I have to admit, it was hard not to go for a run when the sun is shining, it is warm, and there is green grass everywhere!
We tried to at least be aware of what we ate, but when you are on vacation, sometimes you just have to indulge a little bit. They had this great French Café that was incredible. Megan showed what she thought of me threatening to take her food!
The night show at Epcot was also incredible to see. The light show of the Space Ball was amazing.
We also made a day adventure out of Animal Kingdom. They have some great shows, and rides. The Tree of Life, and all of the details involved with it were very impressive.
Four of the days there we went for a run first thing in the morning. We stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside, and they have this great running/walking path to take along the river. It was so easy to get lost in the scenery. These were definitely some of the easiest runs I have been on. Megan usually went with Sarah and I, and Nick went on his own…we were too slow for him!
For the week were there, we ran 16 miles, and covered over 35 miles walking at the parks. It was a busy week, but a good kind of busy. Disney is a perfect example of the better shape you are in, the more ground you can cover. And even with all this, there were things that we did not see. You can’t cover it all while you are there, so you take in what you can. Spending family time, doing family things, was also just a highlight of the trip.
Sarah and I may be getting older, but you are never too old to have fun at Disney. There is something for everyone. Take it in. Have a “magical time”. Live life to the fullest. Sometimes you just have to act like a kid again! Make everyday an adventure. Strive to Survive, and live that life carefree, and worry free. And remember, keep moving everybody!
Yesterday afternoon was actually a very pleasant day, temperature wise, to go for a run. Sarah and I have been running for decades. I started in Middle School, and ran my first race, the Diet Pepsi 10 K race in SF, as a sophomore in High School. That was many years ago, and many races and adventure’s ago as well. Many things have changed over the years. I have learned a lot about running, and learned the hard way with experience as well. But one thing is for sure, you always have to listen to your body! And if there was ever a time when this was more true, it is now! I just started reading a book this week: Running Past 50.
The book is runners sharing their experiences of how they started running, and what it has done for them. Boy, can I relate! I have always wanted to write my own book, and I think this has helped me come up with an idea. I have always wanted to have it be kind of a autobiography, but I want it related to running, and what I have learned over the years. “Running Through Life” sounds like it may be a good title. The ideas right now are flowing through my head. Real life running experiences, what I know as a physician, combined with motivation for others. I have to say, I like the idea of where this is going. I will have to see what happens over time!
Sarah and I have run many races over the years, and you learn something from every one. The learning is not just about running, but life experiences. You listen to what other people are doing, and what works for them as well. There is nothing that works the same for everybody. Many of the concepts or training plans can be tailored to your own individual needs and desires as well. Many of us who do a lot of running have gone through many training plans. We find out what works, and definitely what does not work! There is no “one size fits all” plan for everybody, so you learn to modify and adapt to your needs, and desires. The basic concepts can be similar, and the road getting there may take many turns. Turns often not expected. But, the final end point can be the same: reaching the goals we want to achieve! Many training partners have been involved along the way, including our kids. They help now keep the motivation going! Oh to be young again, and have the physical capabilities that they have. I just wish I had the knowledge I have now, back then. For all of you old enough to realize how true this is, how many times have you said this same thing?
Megan has been running a lot with us since she has been back home. She helps keep things lively! Never a dull moment! Keep us going Meg!
Of course, those moments of solitude when you just “go”, and also let your mind go as well. Many things over the years have been solved while out on a run. The group runs are good to help get things off your chest too, but there are times when you just need to run alone as well. Just relax, unwind, and go. Leave all of your worries behind, and just pay attention to things you never paid attention to before. We all get in such a hurry with things that life just passes us by. Take it all in. Enjoy the ride. Strive to Survive! And, keep moving everybody!
Our Watertown Area Run Club, out for coffee after a Sunday run! What a great time it is! This is exactly why my running friends may be the best friends I will ever have. They understand you, and your desire to run, and be healthy. And when one of us is hurt, or has health issues, we all struggle. It is just not the same when somebody who is usually there, now isn’t. I struggled when I had my health issues, and right now, another one of our good running friends is having health issues as well. She has not been able to be running with us for a while, and it is just not the same. I have said for years when we started this, no one will be left behind. We may not all be the same speed, but we watch out for each other, and cheer each other on. Our Run Club started out as a group of people, but we finish as a group of friends!
We run in all kinds of weather, warm, cold, rain, snow…but life throws us curveballs at time, and we have to “weather” those storms as well. Never tell a runner that they cannot do something! I guarantee we will prove everybody wrong! We may get knocked down, but we are not going to stay down!
We have had many times when we have traveled together to go run a race somewhere. We all love the challenge of a race, and going somewhere different, but it is not really about the race. It is about the time you spend together, as we all trained and worked together, as well as on our own, to get to the same spot. It all boils down to the fact that it is all about finding people who are your kind of crazy! We all love a challenge, and we all push each other!
We always gather at whatever events we are at for a picture. We worry how each of us is doing. WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER! What more can you say?
We all get injured, or have health problems. I guess that is part of being human. But when someone has been gone, and then gets back to running, we are all jumping for joy! You know you are a runner when your running friends are the only ones that understand your love of running, and your constant need to talk about it! We all are happy when we all can do what we love to do. Our good friend will be back at it again some day. This I have no doubt. But we are there for her along the way. That road may get bumpy at times, but again, we can “weather” any storm. All you need is a little help from your friends! Keep moving everybody…especially for those of us who can’t!
