“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
I love this quote from Murakami. He is absolutely right. I may run to stay healthy and live a longer life but it is really so that I can live a fuller life. Apparently I have translated my love for running to my children. Most recently my daughter signed up to run her first Half Marathon. Up to this point in time, she had run a few 5K races and ran regularly for exercise. While my initial reaction to the news was trepidation, I knew that it was her way of living her life to the fullest. How could that be a bad thing no matter what happened on race day.
When she told me she had signed up for the race, I asked if she wanted me to come down and run it with her. She politely declined. She wanted to do this on her own. That is something I understood fully. when I started racing long distances, I wanted to do it on my own. She and I talked a few times about her training. I offered a little advice here and there. But if there is one thing I know about her, when she decides to do something she gets it done. I am constantly amazed at her tenacity and confidence. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished so far in life.
In the past, she had set goals in life to finish college and work for Disney. Both of which she accomplished. This time she had set a physical goal for herself. One that would challenge her in ways she hadn't dealt with before. She is a strong willed woman and put in the time and effort to fully prepare for the challenge she signed up for. When we talked about the race, she told me she had a goal to break 3 hours in her first half marathon. A very reasonable goal considering she had never run this type of distance before.
On April 22, 2018, she lined up at the Disney World Resort to run the 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side. The only thing I could do here in Arizona was follow her on the web. I certainly can't detail her race experience her as I wasn't there. But she texted me immediately after she had finished the race. Her excitement about her achievement came through loud and clear. She was so proud of herself. And she should be! Through the runner's high she told me she wanted to run another one. She had run her first Half Marathon in 2:34:27! What an accomplishment. She had definitely exerted herself to the fullest and conquered the course.Now she is going to sign us up to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon this November. And I get to have her join my Penguin relay team in the Blue Ridge Relay in September. She is filling in for one of our runners who can't participate due to an injury. I am so thrilled that she is building the same passion for this sport that I have harbored for over 30 years. I am looking forward to many more races with her. But I am even more looking forward to hearing her excitement about life as she continues to be fully alive in this world.
Apr 16 – 5.10 miles (50:10, 9:50 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 17 – 6.50 miles (55:09, 8:29 pace) – Speed work
Apr 19 – 8.50 miles (1:14:35, 8:46 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 21 – 8.10 miles (01:13:15, 9:02 pace)
Apr 22 – 9.30 miles (1:24:21, 9:04 pace)
Apr 23 – 5.10 miles (51:55, 10:11 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 24 – 6.50 miles (54:55, 8:27 pace) – Speed work
Apr 26 – 5.10 miles (43:12, 8:28 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 27 – 4.10 miles (45:42, 11:09 pace)
Apr 28 – 4.50 miles (40:00, 8:53 pace)
May 1 – 5.10 miles (49:00, 9:36 pace)
May 2 – 6.50 miles (55:09, 8:29 pace) – Speed work
May 3 – 5.10 miles (45:07, 8:51 pace)
May 4 – 8.70 miles (1:16:31, 8:48 pace) – Tempo Run
May 5 – 8.10 miles (1:16:14, 9:25 pace)
May 6 – 8.50 miles (1:17:56, 9:10 pace)
May 7 – 6.10 miles (1:06:47, 10:57 pace) – Hill Repeats
May 8 – 3.10 miles (23:44, 7:39 pace) – Speed work
May 10 – 8.20 miles (1:11:34, 8:44 pace) – Tempo Run
May 11 – 6.10 miles (54:48, 8:59 pace)
May 12 – 5.10 miles (45:12, 8:52 pace)
May 13 – 11.30 miles (1:42:19, 9:03 pace)
Total Miles: 144.7 miles
2018 Total Miles: 594.0 miles
