Marathons. God I want to run another right now. I don't want to wait 10 days, until 1/1/2017, for my next race.
Here is a story of how I can get completely lost in my mind. Here is an example of an addictive thought process. While I am addicted to marathons, you can easily substitute alcohol or cocaine and get a similar slippery thought slope.
Yesterday I was out running. I was feeling real good and I wanted to run another marathon. But there are none right this minute; except for Iranmarathons.com in San Antonio. Here is the beginning of the slippery slope.
I am well aware that the race director P fudges the results. That is, people who didn't run the race, including herself, are shown with results. People who ran virtually are shown in the results. P has claimed to run 1001 marathons, when I watched her cheat at the 2015 Irving marathon.
So I could drive to San Antonio and run a marathon. For me personally it would be legal right? I showed up at the course and ran it. Do I want to support a race director who cheats? But, God, I want to run a marathon right now. But I know perfectly well, that I could be the only one who shows up. So that is not really a race. Why drive to San Antonio, pay $100 to a scoundrel, and run by myself. Why not pay $35 to the scoundrel and run in Seabrook, but have my result appear with the rest of the results. I could run the course for the Seabrook Lucky Trail marathon so I was sure it was a measured marathon and not a Garmin marathon. I could do this and then be able to count one more marathon in my collection.
After this run where I came to this extraordinary conclusion, I got on the internet. I decided to check out results for L. I like L and I have seen L at races all over the country. L has been recognized for the most marathons ever. He includes Iranmarathons results in his list. But strangely, whenever I have gone to San Antonio, I haven't seen L on course. I asked another friend, C, about this. He said that L might start at 10 pm. But, my mind whispered, then that is really running virtually. So, to continue my rationalization, I thought, "If Iranmarathons virtual results are good enough for L, then why not me?"
Then I happened to google L. I landed on a page marathoninvestigation.com. They had a long expose about L and the impossibility of some of his results. They also had a long expose about the Iranmarathons race director P.
A sour taste went into my mouth. Thank God for that. I was saved. I dismissed all ideas of claiming a virtual marathon result or going to San Antonio. Instead, I found myself sending an e-mail to Marathon Investigations about what I saw with P at the 2015 Irving marathon.
Today I went for a 3.5 hour walk. Just walking. I know I'll survive 10 days until my next marathon.
Showing posts with label IranMarathons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IranMarathons. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Marathons
It is January 2015. I have completed 40 marathons in this life, spread out over many years. In 2013 I did 9 of them. In 2014, post surgery, I did 5. I am currently signed up for 4. I am plotting and wondering. Can I get to 50 this year? It would seem so. But really what I want to do is get to 50 in July at Iranmarathons.com multi-day event. The RD has asked to provide hoopla for my marathon mile stone.
I am for sure hooked on marathons but I don't know why. When I was a nun, I'd go for runs in a skirt. We had hermit days, renewal days and free days. I would always go for long runs on those days. "Long" at that time was 7 to 10 miles. I would dream of somehow running a marathon even though I was a nun.
I didn't say "Fuck" at that time. I say it now unless I'm at work. At work, and some other places, I say "WTF."
You would think after my Snowdrop failure that I would be done with miles. But it is the Gulf coast in January, a beautiful day and my legs feel good. The fuel belt bottles are filled. As soon as the rice cooker gets done, I am out the door.
Marathons; Fuck Yeah!
I am for sure hooked on marathons but I don't know why. When I was a nun, I'd go for runs in a skirt. We had hermit days, renewal days and free days. I would always go for long runs on those days. "Long" at that time was 7 to 10 miles. I would dream of somehow running a marathon even though I was a nun.
I didn't say "Fuck" at that time. I say it now unless I'm at work. At work, and some other places, I say "WTF."
You would think after my Snowdrop failure that I would be done with miles. But it is the Gulf coast in January, a beautiful day and my legs feel good. The fuel belt bottles are filled. As soon as the rice cooker gets done, I am out the door.
Marathons; Fuck Yeah!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
BadWater in Seabrook
Finished it. Did it. Almost failed, but somehow not.
As I write this, my friend Parvaneh is past mile 81 according to FB but not yet checked in at 4th aid station miles 90 according to Adventure Corps. BadWater is 135 miles. That is a long day at the office.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I've had my own strange day. Lets go over this again. About 6 weeks ago Parvaneh said she was having a marathon along the BadWater course. I told her I couldn't go to Death Valley, but I would run a marathon in Seabrook that day. She said fine. I paid an entry fee. She gave me a medal and a t-shirt the last time I was in San Antonio.
Last night, I was anxious. I didn't feel good about my heel. I didn't feel good about the weather. I was sure no marathon was going to happen today. I didn't make it out of bed with the alarm. I listened to a down pour. I listened to my brain tell me what a slacker I am. Finally at 7:30, I got up.
I still didn't think I was going to run a marathon today. Finally, about 8:30, I decided to run for 42 min in El Lago and then do a series of 42 minute cross training intervals. ( A marathon is 42.2k. thats where the 42 came from).
Well, things went pretty well in El Lago. At 42 minutes, I hit the lap button on the Garmin and decided on another 42 minutes. That went well too. I had to go home for a pit stop because there is absolutely no place in El Lago to pee. I had no water with me so I had to go home anyway. As I got home, I could imagine walking 42 laps of Brummerhop. So I gathered up my water bottles, a couple of Vibrancy Bars, several gel packets, hit the start button on the Garmin and headed over to Brummerhop Park.
The rest is more or less history. I thought of Parvaneh the whole way. I don't know if My energy helped her or her determination helped me. But for sure, once I got started, it wasn't that hard to keep going. I was blessed with a cloudy and rainy day, or it wouldn't have worked.
So, thats my BadWater story. I'll keep tabs on Parvaneh. I know she'll make it.
As I write this, my friend Parvaneh is past mile 81 according to FB but not yet checked in at 4th aid station miles 90 according to Adventure Corps. BadWater is 135 miles. That is a long day at the office.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I've had my own strange day. Lets go over this again. About 6 weeks ago Parvaneh said she was having a marathon along the BadWater course. I told her I couldn't go to Death Valley, but I would run a marathon in Seabrook that day. She said fine. I paid an entry fee. She gave me a medal and a t-shirt the last time I was in San Antonio.
Last night, I was anxious. I didn't feel good about my heel. I didn't feel good about the weather. I was sure no marathon was going to happen today. I didn't make it out of bed with the alarm. I listened to a down pour. I listened to my brain tell me what a slacker I am. Finally at 7:30, I got up.
I still didn't think I was going to run a marathon today. Finally, about 8:30, I decided to run for 42 min in El Lago and then do a series of 42 minute cross training intervals. ( A marathon is 42.2k. thats where the 42 came from).
Well, things went pretty well in El Lago. At 42 minutes, I hit the lap button on the Garmin and decided on another 42 minutes. That went well too. I had to go home for a pit stop because there is absolutely no place in El Lago to pee. I had no water with me so I had to go home anyway. As I got home, I could imagine walking 42 laps of Brummerhop. So I gathered up my water bottles, a couple of Vibrancy Bars, several gel packets, hit the start button on the Garmin and headed over to Brummerhop Park.
The rest is more or less history. I thought of Parvaneh the whole way. I don't know if My energy helped her or her determination helped me. But for sure, once I got started, it wasn't that hard to keep going. I was blessed with a cloudy and rainy day, or it wouldn't have worked.
So, thats my BadWater story. I'll keep tabs on Parvaneh. I know she'll make it.
Friday, July 5, 2013
The Big Why - Post marathon pondering
I did a great job of my marathon yesterday. I liked it alot. It recharged me to run a marathon without horrible pain.
Today, I jogged for an hour and now I am in the middle of cross-training. Fitness is of course on my mind. Fitness for the long run, my fight against American obesity, goes on with or without metaphysical or spiritual implications.
I think it is smarter to run faster marathons than ultra-marathons. Partly because the cross training is better for me than the endless miles.
But I have wanted endless "something" since I was a very small child. I was always dreaming of the longest bike ride or trail ride or basket shooting or swimming or "something."
I don't have to win at spirituality any more. But I also don't quite get all of A Course in Miracles. Luckily, I mainly need to let go.
I wish for an original thought. Yes, my life has been inspired by others. But I would like to be original somehow. I'm always thinking that to think outside the box, you need to be outside the box. Hence my divorce from mainstream society.
Marathons can be a box too. Well, almost everything is a box. Perhaps we can only select subsets, not uniqueness. There are pieces which cannot be moved.
I have 2 more days off to ponder my life in depth.
August is a big month: 28 years of sobriety, 6 years as a Course in Miracles student, 10 years since leaving the monastery, almost 4 years at my current employer, almost 2 years since migration to Texas.
Here I am with Dan. Dan is 78 and he ran about the same time as me. This is the third time I ran a marathon with Dan. Below is a picture with Parvaneh, Steve, Larry and me. Larry is only 68 and he has completed over 1000 marathons in his life. But Dan, who is much less famous runs them an hour and a half faster; despite an additional 10 years on his life. Dan also runs many marathons a year.
Today, I jogged for an hour and now I am in the middle of cross-training. Fitness is of course on my mind. Fitness for the long run, my fight against American obesity, goes on with or without metaphysical or spiritual implications.
I think it is smarter to run faster marathons than ultra-marathons. Partly because the cross training is better for me than the endless miles.
But I have wanted endless "something" since I was a very small child. I was always dreaming of the longest bike ride or trail ride or basket shooting or swimming or "something."
I don't have to win at spirituality any more. But I also don't quite get all of A Course in Miracles. Luckily, I mainly need to let go.
I wish for an original thought. Yes, my life has been inspired by others. But I would like to be original somehow. I'm always thinking that to think outside the box, you need to be outside the box. Hence my divorce from mainstream society.
Marathons can be a box too. Well, almost everything is a box. Perhaps we can only select subsets, not uniqueness. There are pieces which cannot be moved.
I have 2 more days off to ponder my life in depth.
August is a big month: 28 years of sobriety, 6 years as a Course in Miracles student, 10 years since leaving the monastery, almost 4 years at my current employer, almost 2 years since migration to Texas.
Here I am with Dan. Dan is 78 and he ran about the same time as me. This is the third time I ran a marathon with Dan. Below is a picture with Parvaneh, Steve, Larry and me. Larry is only 68 and he has completed over 1000 marathons in his life. But Dan, who is much less famous runs them an hour and a half faster; despite an additional 10 years on his life. Dan also runs many marathons a year.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Downward Mobility
This topic of downward mobility comes up as I ponder next weekend. I want to go to San Antonio to walk a marathon; and yes, spend about $250 in the process. I'll get to support some friends. I'll get to struggle with my own stupid marathon adventure. I'll get to forget about work.
I need to forget about work. See, I have an interview for an internal job today. Everyone thinks I'm a shoe-in to get the job. That may be true, but they probably won't announce who gets the job very quick If anything, my employer is never quick. Waiting kills me. In this case, its not like I won't have a great job either way. But I feel inner pressure to know.
Downward mobility is what? Something in relation to Christ. The concept is important to me; but it is vague in my consciousness at the moment. I can't remember what is in my soul or how to honor it.
I could walk a marathon by myself in Seabrook. But in San Antonio, I get to do it with P and D and T and J and L and W and maybe others I know. M might be at the aid station cheering me. Why balk at this idea just cuz it costs money and time and gasoline and tires?
San Antonio is as good as it gets for me.
My workout this morning included 35 min on the treadmill. My foot feels pretty good. Maybe jogging/ walking a marathon on a concrete bike path wouldn't kill me.
Self transcendence is the cleansing experience of 6-7 hours in a hot Texas park.
Some people (Anton Krupika) get to climb mountains every day.
I need to forget about work. See, I have an interview for an internal job today. Everyone thinks I'm a shoe-in to get the job. That may be true, but they probably won't announce who gets the job very quick If anything, my employer is never quick. Waiting kills me. In this case, its not like I won't have a great job either way. But I feel inner pressure to know.
Downward mobility is what? Something in relation to Christ. The concept is important to me; but it is vague in my consciousness at the moment. I can't remember what is in my soul or how to honor it.
I could walk a marathon by myself in Seabrook. But in San Antonio, I get to do it with P and D and T and J and L and W and maybe others I know. M might be at the aid station cheering me. Why balk at this idea just cuz it costs money and time and gasoline and tires?
San Antonio is as good as it gets for me.
My workout this morning included 35 min on the treadmill. My foot feels pretty good. Maybe jogging/ walking a marathon on a concrete bike path wouldn't kill me.
Self transcendence is the cleansing experience of 6-7 hours in a hot Texas park.
Some people (Anton Krupika) get to climb mountains every day.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Walking Transcendence
I've been thinking alot about my just finished double marathon and other opportunities presented by Iranmarathons.com.
See, I got involved in ultras at all because of the 3,100 mile Self Transcendence race put on by Sri Chinmoy in New York. What it amounts to for the runners is day after day of walk jog around and around a very small course. You get shin splints and blisters and cramps and various other problems, but you keep moving forward until you get to 3,100 miles.
I can't do that race, but I get the point of self transcendence. I do miles for transcendence. I keep walking for this purpose. And, back to Iranmarathons, these races are on small courses. And they are setup so someone can do many miles but there is no time limit. So people are walking and running. At the weekend I was at, there were 5 marathons in 3 days (3 during the day and 2 at night). That is 130 miles! One man jogged all his in less than 5 hours each. Another man jog walked with times between 7 and 8 hours. That is amazing to me; but seems much more do-able than 100 miles.
Tonight, I walked around the cement streets of El Lago. I can walk pretty fast if I want and that is so much easier on my feet. I keep wanting to now sign up for a weekend in June at an Iranmarathons event.
But first, I am signed up for a double marathon in Dallas in 2 weeks. And there is the matter of changes at my place of employment.
As I walked tonight, I loved the idea of loading my hydropak with water tomorrow and going for another long walk.
See, I got involved in ultras at all because of the 3,100 mile Self Transcendence race put on by Sri Chinmoy in New York. What it amounts to for the runners is day after day of walk jog around and around a very small course. You get shin splints and blisters and cramps and various other problems, but you keep moving forward until you get to 3,100 miles.
I can't do that race, but I get the point of self transcendence. I do miles for transcendence. I keep walking for this purpose. And, back to Iranmarathons, these races are on small courses. And they are setup so someone can do many miles but there is no time limit. So people are walking and running. At the weekend I was at, there were 5 marathons in 3 days (3 during the day and 2 at night). That is 130 miles! One man jogged all his in less than 5 hours each. Another man jog walked with times between 7 and 8 hours. That is amazing to me; but seems much more do-able than 100 miles.
Tonight, I walked around the cement streets of El Lago. I can walk pretty fast if I want and that is so much easier on my feet. I keep wanting to now sign up for a weekend in June at an Iranmarathons event.
But first, I am signed up for a double marathon in Dallas in 2 weeks. And there is the matter of changes at my place of employment.
As I walked tonight, I loved the idea of loading my hydropak with water tomorrow and going for another long walk.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Double Marathon - Post-lude
This lady is 64 and she completed 100 miles at Iranmarathons May Flowers event:
She did it in 39 hours. Much of her walking was on her own. What mental fortitude that is.
For myself, no I have no intention of doing 100 miles all in one race. This is not my quest. I did find however that doing 2 marathons in 2 days did scrape the bottom of my barrel in some sense. I drank my dregs. I was empty. Its not the same sort of dregs that a 100 miler feels.
Here is my finisher picture:
She did it in 39 hours. Much of her walking was on her own. What mental fortitude that is.
For myself, no I have no intention of doing 100 miles all in one race. This is not my quest. I did find however that doing 2 marathons in 2 days did scrape the bottom of my barrel in some sense. I drank my dregs. I was empty. Its not the same sort of dregs that a 100 miler feels.
Here is my finisher picture:
Saturday, May 4, 2013
May Flowers Success Day 2 Complete
Today was day 2 of my double marathon. It went fantastic; mainly because my heel was feeling very good. Which totally surprised me. Driving home, when I got out of the car at the rest area, it didn't feel too good. But now, the achilles and bursitis feels good, its other things that hurt.
Spiritual phrases for today came from A Course in Miracles chapter 6 and 7: All meaning comes from God and IS God. His light is what my mind is. Be vigilant only for God and for His Kingdom.
I swear, repeating these phrases had something to do with how little pain I was in.
I am happy about my weekend.
Today's run began at 4:45, in the dark by myself. I had planned to start at 5, an hour early; but no one else was there and I knew the RD wouldn't care, so off I went as soon as I got my gear together. There are lots of deer in San Antonio. My headlight kept showing me their eyes as they were not out of their little beds yet. I walked alot the first few miles. I was over dressed, and having a shoe failure (Mizunos). At 6 miles, I stopped at the car and took off layers of clothes and switched to the Nimbus dream liners. After my feet got used to the different feel, I started to naturally speed up. It was so great to be doing a few 12 minute miles on the second day of a double marathon.
I said hi to a number of people both ones I've met before and new ones.
But the race was uneventful. I kept up a great pace. I stopped at the car every lap to drop of shirts. And then, I was done.
Today's medal:
2 marathons in 2 days makes me this kind of Marathon Maniac:
I saw many of cactus that looked like this.
Spiritual phrases for today came from A Course in Miracles chapter 6 and 7: All meaning comes from God and IS God. His light is what my mind is. Be vigilant only for God and for His Kingdom.
I swear, repeating these phrases had something to do with how little pain I was in.
I am happy about my weekend.
Today's run began at 4:45, in the dark by myself. I had planned to start at 5, an hour early; but no one else was there and I knew the RD wouldn't care, so off I went as soon as I got my gear together. There are lots of deer in San Antonio. My headlight kept showing me their eyes as they were not out of their little beds yet. I walked alot the first few miles. I was over dressed, and having a shoe failure (Mizunos). At 6 miles, I stopped at the car and took off layers of clothes and switched to the Nimbus dream liners. After my feet got used to the different feel, I started to naturally speed up. It was so great to be doing a few 12 minute miles on the second day of a double marathon.
I said hi to a number of people both ones I've met before and new ones.
But the race was uneventful. I kept up a great pace. I stopped at the car every lap to drop of shirts. And then, I was done.
Today's medal:
2 marathons in 2 days makes me this kind of Marathon Maniac:
I saw many of cactus that looked like this.
Friday, May 3, 2013
May Flowers Day 1 Complete
What is it about marathons? I can't explain why, at 24 miles, by myself on a boring bike path in San Antonio, I felt tremendous joy. A Course in Miracles talks about listening to the song. Today, I heard the song.
Can't explain I think its love....
The Who sang it:
Got a feeling inside (Can't explain)
It's a certain kind (Can't explain)
I feel hot and cold (Can't explain)
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (Can't explain)
Today began very early. I got to the race site at 5:20. Some people had started at 5 and others were planning to start at 6 so only Parvaneh the RD was there when I got there. Did I mention this was a very small race?
It was dark and very cold for Texas. Parvaneh didn't care exactly what time I started, so off I went as soon as I got my gear together. Head light on, I go out onto a concrete bike path. The course is back and forth on this bike path. I like it because I can't handle any trail type challenges with a bad knee. I like doing miles. My shoes felt fantastic.
As time and miles go by, I pass others in the race. We say hello and hi-five each other. It gets light. The day is cloudless but windy.
Miles go by. I wonder what I am doing out here. I'm not breaking any speed records. I think about the guy who has run 250+ marathons in his life and runs as many as he can drive to and still hold down a job. I am sort of a newby at this multi-day marathon game.
It is fascinating to think about why we are there. I don't think an ego can sustain this activity. I mean, its not like there is any fanfare related to this race.
Ont the short out and back I did at the end of the race, I met the girl I'd been just behind all day (as in, she'd be in the aid station as I was coming in, etc.). I cheered her, waving my hands wildly. Tomorrow when I run my second marathon, she'll be at an aid station. My heel did end up feel pretty bad as usual, but oh well.
This weekend is an interesting event. I'm running 2 day time marathons. But they are also putting on 2 night time marathons so a person could actually run 5 marathons in 3 days if they wanted to. Or, they could enter a 10k, half marathon, 50 miles, 100 miles or 48 hours. A lady I admire is running her first 100 miles. I admire her because she is also a metaphysician. I feel kin to her.
So, I've had my salad from Panera now it is time for a nap.
Tomorrow, I'll start my marathon at 5 am and then drive back to Houston.
Today's medal looked like this:
Can't explain I think its love....
The Who sang it:
Got a feeling inside (Can't explain)
It's a certain kind (Can't explain)
I feel hot and cold (Can't explain)
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (Can't explain)
Today began very early. I got to the race site at 5:20. Some people had started at 5 and others were planning to start at 6 so only Parvaneh the RD was there when I got there. Did I mention this was a very small race?
It was dark and very cold for Texas. Parvaneh didn't care exactly what time I started, so off I went as soon as I got my gear together. Head light on, I go out onto a concrete bike path. The course is back and forth on this bike path. I like it because I can't handle any trail type challenges with a bad knee. I like doing miles. My shoes felt fantastic.
As time and miles go by, I pass others in the race. We say hello and hi-five each other. It gets light. The day is cloudless but windy.
Miles go by. I wonder what I am doing out here. I'm not breaking any speed records. I think about the guy who has run 250+ marathons in his life and runs as many as he can drive to and still hold down a job. I am sort of a newby at this multi-day marathon game.
It is fascinating to think about why we are there. I don't think an ego can sustain this activity. I mean, its not like there is any fanfare related to this race.
Ont the short out and back I did at the end of the race, I met the girl I'd been just behind all day (as in, she'd be in the aid station as I was coming in, etc.). I cheered her, waving my hands wildly. Tomorrow when I run my second marathon, she'll be at an aid station. My heel did end up feel pretty bad as usual, but oh well.
This weekend is an interesting event. I'm running 2 day time marathons. But they are also putting on 2 night time marathons so a person could actually run 5 marathons in 3 days if they wanted to. Or, they could enter a 10k, half marathon, 50 miles, 100 miles or 48 hours. A lady I admire is running her first 100 miles. I admire her because she is also a metaphysician. I feel kin to her.
So, I've had my salad from Panera now it is time for a nap.
Tomorrow, I'll start my marathon at 5 am and then drive back to Houston.
Today's medal looked like this:
Thursday, May 2, 2013
May Flowers - Smelling The Roses
For once, I am completely at ease; smelling the roses. I slept very well for 10 hours last night. This morning, I'm hanging around my house doing my spiritual studies; smelling the roses. In a little bit I'll jump in the car and drive to San Antonio for my double marathon.
I'm not working out today. I decided what to do about work: just put my name out there for the job transfers and see which one happens. So, in a sense, abundance is my lot. Three job possibilities in one place.
Now, I get to do the simplest thing in the world: walk marathons. I came to this conclusion through the pain in my left heel; and came to enjoy it. I like doing time and miles, but I don't "need" to do them very fast.
This slow way allows for smelling the roses but still getting to the finish line. It is the way of downward mobility. It is the ego-less way. Quietly, elegantly pursuing a dream of love not competition.
I am reading the end of chapter 6 in A Course in Miracles. This Course really saves my bacon on a daily basis. I get to return to the beginning each day. Start from scratch each day and your life really transforms. You get to pursue love instead to getting.
"9 Truth is without illusions and therefore within the Kingdom. Everything outside the Kingdom is illusion. When you threw truth away you saw yourself as if you were without it. By making another kingdom that you valued, you did not keep only the Kingdom of God in your mind, and thus placed part of your mind outside it. What you made has imprisoned your will, and given you a sick mind that must be healed. Your vigilance against this sickness is the way to heal it. Once your mind is healed it radiates health, and thereby teaches healing. This establishes you as a teacher who teaches like me. Vigilance was required of me as much as of you, and those who choose to teach the same thing must be in agreement about what they believe.
10 The third step, then, is a statement of what you want to believe, and entails a willingness to relinquish everything else. The Holy Spirit will enable you to take this step, if you follow Him. Your vigilance is the sign that you want Him to guide you. Vigilance does require effort, but only until you learn that effort itself is unnecessary. You have exerted great effort to preserve what you made because it was not true. Therefore, you must now turn your effort against it. Only this can cancel out the need for effort, and call upon the being which you both have and are. This recognition is wholly without effort since it is already true and needs no protection. It is in the perfect safety of God. Therefore, inclusion is total and creation is without limit."
The way that self transcendence runners get massive miles over a 6 or 10 day period is simple to keep walking. This is how I will be for the next 2 days; smelling the roses.
I'm not working out today. I decided what to do about work: just put my name out there for the job transfers and see which one happens. So, in a sense, abundance is my lot. Three job possibilities in one place.
Now, I get to do the simplest thing in the world: walk marathons. I came to this conclusion through the pain in my left heel; and came to enjoy it. I like doing time and miles, but I don't "need" to do them very fast.
This slow way allows for smelling the roses but still getting to the finish line. It is the way of downward mobility. It is the ego-less way. Quietly, elegantly pursuing a dream of love not competition.
I am reading the end of chapter 6 in A Course in Miracles. This Course really saves my bacon on a daily basis. I get to return to the beginning each day. Start from scratch each day and your life really transforms. You get to pursue love instead to getting.
"9 Truth is without illusions and therefore within the Kingdom. Everything outside the Kingdom is illusion. When you threw truth away you saw yourself as if you were without it. By making another kingdom that you valued, you did not keep only the Kingdom of God in your mind, and thus placed part of your mind outside it. What you made has imprisoned your will, and given you a sick mind that must be healed. Your vigilance against this sickness is the way to heal it. Once your mind is healed it radiates health, and thereby teaches healing. This establishes you as a teacher who teaches like me. Vigilance was required of me as much as of you, and those who choose to teach the same thing must be in agreement about what they believe.
10 The third step, then, is a statement of what you want to believe, and entails a willingness to relinquish everything else. The Holy Spirit will enable you to take this step, if you follow Him. Your vigilance is the sign that you want Him to guide you. Vigilance does require effort, but only until you learn that effort itself is unnecessary. You have exerted great effort to preserve what you made because it was not true. Therefore, you must now turn your effort against it. Only this can cancel out the need for effort, and call upon the being which you both have and are. This recognition is wholly without effort since it is already true and needs no protection. It is in the perfect safety of God. Therefore, inclusion is total and creation is without limit."
The way that self transcendence runners get massive miles over a 6 or 10 day period is simple to keep walking. This is how I will be for the next 2 days; smelling the roses.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Flowers - Miracle Blooming
I took this shirt out of the laundry this evening. I remembered when I got it and thought it would be perfect to wear in the car tomorrow:
I got the shirt in a half marathon last July in Copper Mountain, Colorado. I remember being at 10,000 feet on the Vail bike path where the race turned around. My left foot was in unexpectedly horrible shape. I had seen many people passing me on the way up wearing this shirt and suddenly realized it was the one we got for the race and I owned one. As I turned around to head down, I had a great view, my foot was killing me, I couldn't breathe, I felt totally like a decrepit old lady. But an old lady who had just run 10 miles and had 3 more to go.
I started crying. Gone were the days when I would win this race. But I was there at the top of the mountain, no matter how long it took me to get there.
I would and did finish.
Today, taking that shirt out of the dryer, it felt totally right.
I've been awake since one in the morning thinking about a totally insane political battle at work which involves a fight over process safety engineers (of which I am one). But the two sides are so stubborn, it is leaving 3 of us fighting to get jobs. Um, like, the talent the bosses are fighting over is left with some sort of shaft. Unbelievable.
And my body is not totally well, but I'm going to San Antonio to run 2 marathons this weekend.
I don't care how long it takes me to finish, the miracle is that I will start; and I will finish. Hoping the pain takes my mind off my work.
And stupid boss who said he is proud of me. And other stupid boss who said I was first choice.
Well, this situation won't be resolved for weeks.
I got the shirt in a half marathon last July in Copper Mountain, Colorado. I remember being at 10,000 feet on the Vail bike path where the race turned around. My left foot was in unexpectedly horrible shape. I had seen many people passing me on the way up wearing this shirt and suddenly realized it was the one we got for the race and I owned one. As I turned around to head down, I had a great view, my foot was killing me, I couldn't breathe, I felt totally like a decrepit old lady. But an old lady who had just run 10 miles and had 3 more to go.
I started crying. Gone were the days when I would win this race. But I was there at the top of the mountain, no matter how long it took me to get there.
I would and did finish.
Today, taking that shirt out of the dryer, it felt totally right.
I've been awake since one in the morning thinking about a totally insane political battle at work which involves a fight over process safety engineers (of which I am one). But the two sides are so stubborn, it is leaving 3 of us fighting to get jobs. Um, like, the talent the bosses are fighting over is left with some sort of shaft. Unbelievable.
And my body is not totally well, but I'm going to San Antonio to run 2 marathons this weekend.
I don't care how long it takes me to finish, the miracle is that I will start; and I will finish. Hoping the pain takes my mind off my work.
And stupid boss who said he is proud of me. And other stupid boss who said I was first choice.
Well, this situation won't be resolved for weeks.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
May Flowers Marathon Party - Prelude
But first, here is April:
This weekend is my first trip to San Antonio and my first double marathon. I am 54 and I'll be wearing bib 54. This will be a small event with various distances from 10k to 48 hours. I already know several people. And there is a Panera near my hotel: my favorite place to eat. This morning, I went for a jog in my new Nimbus 15. I'll call them dreamliners they felt so good.
Here is a picture of the park.
This weekend is my first trip to San Antonio and my first double marathon. I am 54 and I'll be wearing bib 54. This will be a small event with various distances from 10k to 48 hours. I already know several people. And there is a Panera near my hotel: my favorite place to eat. This morning, I went for a jog in my new Nimbus 15. I'll call them dreamliners they felt so good.
Here is a picture of the park.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday Run
Today went really really well.
See, yesterday was a bit suckish. I knew it would be as I knew I had to work out the insoles for a new pair of shoes. Consequently, I'd run 2 miles, stop at the car and adjust locations of wedges etc, run 2 more miles, stop and adjust, repeat. But, I finally got them right and at 14 miles decided those shoes were now comfy. Comfy means my left heel is not screaming. These were Mizuno Wave Riders; a shoe I have not used before.
But my heel was still cranky over the experiment. I didn't know how I'd feel today. But I used the tried and true Nimbus' and my foot felt good. Then the point of today became convincing myself I could maintain a 4.2 mph average pace. I'm signed up for a 50k on a trail next Saturday. It is a day to enjoy a forest for a good long time; but the race has cut-offs so I need to keep up my pace, not just walk slowly.
But my feet felt good today, much better than expected so not only did I keep going to 20 miles but I allowed myself to dream. And yes, I was dreaming about a situation in San Antonio. A woman I know is putting on several races over a 3 day period in May. And several people I've met will be there. These are low key events where you can take as long as you want to finish. Some amazing things happen at these races. People putting in amazing performances over 2 or 3 days. Since I have met these people, I know they are not young and not perfect specimens of human athletes. It seemed like an environment where I could accomplish more than I can by myself. So I came home today and clicked submit; a double marathon entered. Insane if I decide to skimp on hotel rooms and just keep running.
I saw an alligator today. I also saw a beetle pushing a piece of dung. I guess that makes it a dung beetle.
See, yesterday was a bit suckish. I knew it would be as I knew I had to work out the insoles for a new pair of shoes. Consequently, I'd run 2 miles, stop at the car and adjust locations of wedges etc, run 2 more miles, stop and adjust, repeat. But, I finally got them right and at 14 miles decided those shoes were now comfy. Comfy means my left heel is not screaming. These were Mizuno Wave Riders; a shoe I have not used before.
But my heel was still cranky over the experiment. I didn't know how I'd feel today. But I used the tried and true Nimbus' and my foot felt good. Then the point of today became convincing myself I could maintain a 4.2 mph average pace. I'm signed up for a 50k on a trail next Saturday. It is a day to enjoy a forest for a good long time; but the race has cut-offs so I need to keep up my pace, not just walk slowly.
But my feet felt good today, much better than expected so not only did I keep going to 20 miles but I allowed myself to dream. And yes, I was dreaming about a situation in San Antonio. A woman I know is putting on several races over a 3 day period in May. And several people I've met will be there. These are low key events where you can take as long as you want to finish. Some amazing things happen at these races. People putting in amazing performances over 2 or 3 days. Since I have met these people, I know they are not young and not perfect specimens of human athletes. It seemed like an environment where I could accomplish more than I can by myself. So I came home today and clicked submit; a double marathon entered. Insane if I decide to skimp on hotel rooms and just keep running.
I saw an alligator today. I also saw a beetle pushing a piece of dung. I guess that makes it a dung beetle.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
IranHouston, January 2013 marathon
Yup! Did it. 26.3 miles in 5h53min (includes pit stops). I enjoyed myself and met some new people. I was not interested in doing faster than ultra pace. I just wanted another 26 mile run and to see how well the race director did. All was good.
I think since I ran a private 26 miles 2 weeks ago, today's 26 miles seemed easy and over quickly.
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