Friday, January 20, 2017

New Era and New Day


It is no secret but I just turned 42 about 4 days ago and I got to celebrate my birthday in sunny Miami but before getting to Miami things weren’t so sunny. Mere days before departing for Miami, I got sick. I knew it was coming when I awoke one night in a cold sweat and my throat was killing me. Thanks to a few co-workers who were selfish enough to come to work the week before coughing and sneezing in my area for days on end, I was now in jeopardy of either missing my trip or having an awful experience. I contemplated even going to Miami the night before departing which gives you an idea of just how I felt but nonetheless I still boarded the plane on Saturday and arrived at the awesome private pad I rented in Miami Shores. I still felt like crap and on a Saturday night in Miami, I only managed to go out for 2 hours before realizing the bed was my best option. I awoke the next morning not too happy and feeling like I should have stayed home but one of my friends told me to just sit back and relax and enjoy the awesome pad and allow my body a chance to rest. They were right. Here I was in this place surrounded by bamboo and palm trees and my own pool and why did I feel the need to force myself to do anything? I took that day and did nothing except lounge, read and relax as well as the days that followed including my birthday. I know what you are thinking, what does this have to do with running? Just relax, I am getting to that.

On my birthday, I got up and felt a lot better than the previous two days. My mom called me to wish me a happy birthday as well as a myriad of friends and I was just feeling inspired and blessed to see another birthday so I used that inspiration and energy and I laced up the shoes and out the door I went. I had no idea what direction I was heading but the skies were stunningly beautiful so I just ran. My chest was on fire and my head was still congested so I had to stop multiple times to catch my breath but I was taking what my body gave me and I was enjoying the moment and the time and opportunity to do something I enjoy even though I could not do it at 100%.
About 6 minutes into my run, I saw an older woman just trying to make her way across the road. No driver would stop and she cautiously walked into the road with her walker. I quickly dashed over to help her by halting traffic and escorting her across safely. I am no hero but people should have some type of compassion and they should want to help other. That is just what a decent human being does. I felt like God put me there at that time to be a service to someone else and in turn, I felt even better on my run. I kept cutting up and down streets ultimately losing myself in the moment and getting lost. I could not remember which blocks I cut down and which way I had gone but I eventually figured it out and made my way back to the house. Waiting for me was the pool and a beer from the fridge. What a day and what a great birthday and the rest of my trip.

What is my new post really about? In running I have learned that no matter how hard you prepare, no matter how hard you train and how much you want to do well, you have to learn to take what your body gives you and to take each race and opportunity and make the best out of each and every situation. Like many runners, I can be incredibly competitive and I beat myself up over bad performances or I refuse to compromise and in turn I ultimately lose out on the experience of it all because getting the chance to race and compete is a honor and opportunity that many do not get. Take advantage of each and every opportunity you get in life because opportunities come and go and running like so many things in life if not forever. Sometimes it takes little things like getting sick to remind you what is important and to just relax and enjoy the moment as best as you can.
CREATE YOUR OWN WORLD OF PERFECTION!