I have been in quite the funk since hitting mile 17 in Chicago. My story is not unlike many others. I was in shock that they were out of water, but managed to hang in there and keep motivated and moving. My first knowledge of the stoppage was when a uniformed patrolman was hollering at me to stop running. With my earbuds in, I didn't realize what was going on, and after taking them out, he said the race was over. The crowds lining the street were awesome, and seeing locals bringing out bottled water was amazing. I still remember the look on the face of the little boy who handed me a bottled water when I told him "You are my hero!" I don't disagree with the decision to stop the race, but I am still fuming over the race directors comments about water "issues". I am not sure if I would finished, but am sure I would have died before stopping. One more water "issue" would definitely have killed someone, maybe even me. I truly believe that officer that died probably saved several other lives that day, and pray his family may find some light in knowing his life may have saved others.
It has been a couple of weeks since Chicago, and I have only hit the pavement twice. I struggled trying to decide which marathon, when, and where I would complete what I started out. The MS Blues seems really hilly, and I know the crowds will not be near as exhilarating, but having seen my motivation level these past weeks, I believe this will be a blessing. As most of you may know, my wife has been the runner in the family for over 10 years, and she gave up her Saturday morning runs with her girl friends for me to try Chicago. I was not about to ask her to give them up again, but she really wanted me to keep at this, and gave me Saturdays with the MM group for my birthday. She will run the 1/2 if able, and I'll give 26.2 another crack. This time, though, harder cross training, smarter eating, and leaving it all out on the pavement.
MM has been a great way to stop the vicious cycle that has gone on too long. Mark's comments about the Marathon being analogous to life keeps bouncing around in my head. I want to finish this life not feeling like I could have done more, or saying I "almost" finished anything. My kids and wife are my life right now, and keeping up with them is so much easier being in shape and feeling better. Some of you are making the right decision by stepping back for now. Others don't have a choice but I do. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it is written there is a time under the sun for everything. I choose to keep on trying, and feel it is my time to keep on running and to keep on moving forward. I hope that if you don't run in January, you'll be out there to holler at me to keep going.
