Is it Determination or Stupidity?

Distance: Thursday: 6 miles (200 route)
Friday: off
Saturday: 10.5 miles (Skagg's and back)
Weather: Beautiful high 30's to low 40's

This is the question of the day, is it determination or stupidity? Saturday I spent the day with the boys at Pomerelle. I did not get to ski or board, I just watched. I had planned a long run for Saturday, because I need to start logging miles if I truly am doing a marathon in May (I have not signed up yet, how is that for dedication). When I got home, I was tired and cold, and only wanted to sit on the couch. It was getting late, and the wind was blowing. Really, I pulled out every excuse in the book. I finally decided I would run with the wind, that way, I wouldn't get any colder than I already was. I asked Nathan to pick me up in an hour at Skagg's, and somehow we got to talking about the marathon. Nathan said, "Good luck with that." When I asked him what he meant, he said he didn't think I would be able to finish a marathon because I did not have enough miles under my belt. Now, he was not trying to be rude, or discouraging, he was just trying to be realistic and logical. As I started out to Skagg's, I felt slow and heavy. Once I got to the base of the hill, I started to feel great (it is amazing how that happens) and felt like I was running pretty strong. It was there that I decided that when I got to my turn around spot where Nathan was to pick me up, that I would start to run home. If the wind was not too hard, and I didn't get cold before he picked me up, I would run all the way home. I got to thinking how I did not want to be realistic and logical, I wanted to be crazy and fearless. Was it determination or stupidity? It may be crazy to run the marathon, but I am determined to do it. I noticed the wind had died down, and realized it didn't matter what the weather was like when I turned around, I was running home one way or another. I would prove to myself and to Nathan that I could run this course, and I will run that marathon course. I had thoughts on the way back about how amazing our bodies are, and how they will do things we don't know they can do.

Nathan was worried that cars would not be able to see me on the way home, however, he didn't even need to, because I ran so fast, no cars even passed me. This is one of the thoughts I had while running, it made me laugh. I mention this little side bar about the cars not passing because I have said before I have great thoughts while running. Anyway, when I got home, I was reading Readers Digest, and in an interview with Dr. Oz he mentioned that he used to try to do his thinking when he was on the treadmill. He would keep hoping off to jot down some terrific idea he had while running, only to find out later they weren't so great after all. Hum, could be my problem, too. He suggests yoga, but I might stick with my less than great thoughts I have while running.

I will celebrate my body today. It is amazing. It can take me anywhere I want to go. I am strong. I am healthy. I can run. Thank you body. Please hold our for ninety more years! I want to run again tomorrow, and forever.