Well, if nothing else, I've learned that bad habits can be formed as easily as good ones. I was mildly surprised (shocked would sound way too over-dramatic) when I looked and realized that the last time I posted was on May 7th. That is truly lame. And oddly, there were at least three or four occasions in this 12 day break when I saw something that inspired to get with it again. But I kept being lazy and saying "any day now, any day (think Dunkin Donuts)
So here goes - lots of random and mildly interesting if not related things..
First off, as I get things feeds from Runners World every morning, I tend to give them a quick glance and then hit the delete knowing full well that a quick view is maybe the best it's gonna get. Anyway, a couple days ago, one of those quotes of the day really caught my eye. This was the one:
The biggest reward of marathon training is confidence. A 20- or 22-mile training run cannot be purchased, and it can't be rescinded. You are the owner of that strength, and it is a powerful force when life tries to knock you down. You have evidence of your tenacity, your ability, and your passion.
Laura Saladino, Runner's World Challenger of the Week
This is just so true! I was recently talking to the parent of one of our terrific teens. By the way, what amazes me about this young man is his sheer determination. He is out there with us almost every Saturday and he's always just moving forward no matter what...Anyway, I was saying what I believe is the core experience that Teens Run Yonkers tries to bring out is the power of the training. While not diminishing what happens on race day - it's amazing of course - what is truly powerful is one's willingness to put in the hard work for the four to six months before a race. That is where it all happens and as the quote says, that's something you can own forever. Those long runs, the moments after that tell you that you're on the path, the mental toughness you build as you do it - all that is what goes into character.
On another running note, even though I got lazy with my postings, my post marathon running has been good and my streak is at now at 170 uninterrupted days. I'm pretty proud of that. Also, happy to report that I've started experimenting with the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run stuff and finding real value in that. One of my favorite running buddies who is always really supportive suggested it as the way I can finally crack my sub 5. I know it's in me so I really need to do something to break out of 5:09 to 5:15 space. While that's a great improvement from a couple of years ago, I have to get to that. And then who knows....
Finally, while it would seemingly have almost nothing to do with running, happy to share that I went to the Bamboozle fest yesterday. I would say "I went" with my daughter but the reality - as I noted on Facebook - was that in a fit of over fathering, thought it wouldn't be safe so I offered to drive her. At the time I didn't even realize that a few bands I like - All American Rejects and the Foo Fighters - were playing. I did promise that I wouldn't hang with them and let them go off on their own (I did). Well, first off I felt awful for my daughter because she was so psyched and really one of the main reasons she wanted to go was to say Blink 182. Unfortunately, they cancelled about a week ago. Fortunately for me, they replaced them with My Chemical Romance who I happen to like a lot. What was kind of cool was that it was exactly where I had run the NJ Marathon two weeks ago so I new the idea.
While there was tons of traffic there, I was thrill because since I had learned about the area, I was able to find a great and free spot pretty close to the show. OK, spontaneous Seinfeld Trivia Moment. There are at least two episodes top of mind that deal with the challenges of parking in NYC. In one, Elaine and George head out of the city and make some interesting purchases. Where do they go? What do they buy? What's the parking challenge. In another, George's temporary parking gig disrupts a famous Hollywood actor/director's work. Who is it? What happens? What is one of the most famous line's that come out of it?
Beyond the parking joy, I have to say I was blown away by Jimmy Eat World, whom I had never listened to, My Chemical Romance- knew that I would- but mainly by Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. Not only was the music awesome but there's nothing like seeing someone, whether it's an athlete, actor,or some other type of performer, absolutely love what they're doing. Seeing Dave Grohl just eat up the limelight (and I mean that in a totally positive way) reminded me why I love playing the guitar/bass and singing (something I haven't written about at all but will include going forward) but also why I love what I get out of running and sharing that with the teens in our program. This is corny, but as Rocky said in Rocky 6 (or was it 7, 8 or some other), I'd rather do something I love badly, than quit or do something else. I feel the same. I may not the fastest - or fast at all for that matter - but running these races definitely gives me something that I've never gotten from other things including being in the bands I've been in or other venues where individual efforts are celebrated. As I said in the beginning, owning those accomplishments is as special for me as watching Dave Grohl wail on Monkey Wrench for 10 minutes which I'd have to say ranked among my favorite concert experiences ever. Rock on. And run on....
And it won't be another 12 days...
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