This Year, I Turn Left
So, Oil Creek 100 is made up of 3-31 mile loops, followed by
an 8-mile, “Coming Home” loop.
Yes…. I’ve done the math. I
know that’s 101 miles. I try not
to think about it.
For each of the first three loops, when you approach a fork
in the trail, marked only by two humble signs, you turn to the right. However, should you reach that glorious
Coming Home loop, you get to turn to the left. Rog has asked me to have someone with me when I do that
loop, as it contains a hill that is quite sadistic. It is called, "The Hill of Truth". I’ve trained on the loop twice, once with Rog, and once on
my own. I understand his
concern.
Roger knows how hard I’ve been training. I’m not one to post every workout, but
I’ve been putting in the miles. He
recently asked me my plan for this year’s race. It is simple and summed up in five words: This year, I turn left.
That race has defeated me in the past and it had been quite
a thorn in my side. I changed my
training this year to prepare for it.
I’ve added a dance class and a yoga practice. What I didn’t expect was, rather than just making me a
stronger runner, those changes have made me a stronger person.
Rog and I often talk about our ‘mojo’. It seems at one point or another, one of
us has lost ours, and needs a swift kick in the butt to get it back. I have learned to focus more on
the journey, and frankly, to just enjoy the ride. However, I am far from perfect. Sometimes my euphoria gets interrupted, and I have to
readjust and refocus. Then, BOOM! It’s back, stronger than before. It’s powerful to share that with a
friend.
Today, I ran a half marathon in Philadelphia. It is to be my last race before Oil
Creek. At the start, I looked to
yoga, and set my intention. I
wanted to simply be there; be in the race; be in the moment. I wanted to do as my running company
professes. I wanted to run happy.
I was able to enjoy the journey. I crossed the finish line, feeling like a runner. I felt strong and accomplished, but
unfettered by such things as my finishing time.
Oil Creek will come, sooner rather than later. I will reach it’s starting line
trained, and with ample mojo. But,
I no longer worry about crossing the finish line. I will be challenged, and I welcome those challenges
(however, I do hope they are not in bear form). I will run happy, and although my ability to do so may rest
in a power far greater than I, I will do all that is in my capabilities to assure that this year, I turn left.
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