I have to say that keeping a blog seems a bit pointless at this time. I have been totally consumed with starting a new business after leaving my job back in February. I haven’t prioritized writing about my running. No races scheduled because of the pandemic. Who could have imagined all that we would have gone through as a society and individually at that point in time? Yet here I am. It feels like another lifetime since I walked out the front door of my job and thought I would be able to start earning a living as a consultant pretty easily. Yet here I am. Still running.
I am alive. I am healthy. I have not lost a single family member or friend to COVID19. I have started to earn money as a consultant. I was exposed to the virus but didn’t get it. I have reconnected with friends and business associates I had not spoken to in years. I yearn to be able to see them in person. I am frustrated. I am scared. I am worried. I am happy. I am sad. I am hopeful. And yes, all of these feelings and experiences make me grateful.
I am sure you are wondering how I could be feeling grateful in these times. Simple. I choose to be grateful. My cousin just published a book and shares a quote that explains how I can be grateful. He says, “Not everything in life is good. The secret is to look for the good in most things.” Based on this idea, I choose to not dwell on the negative and try to find the silver lining in what life throws my way. It isn’t always easy. But with practice, I have found I can find good almost everywhere. I recommend trying it. Being grateful is a powerful and empowering thing. As I intentionally look for things to be grateful for I have found that there is a never ending supply. That supply includes my friends, running, family, children, and wife.
I am grateful for my friends as they supply me with genuine love and continuous support. They all motivate me in so many ways and are always there to provide an extra boost of energy when I need it. My gratitude comes from the realization of the depth of the friendships I have been able to cultivate and maintain. Even during this time of social isolation, I know they are still there for me. I hear from them through social media, texts, emails, and calls. They always seem to intuitively know when I am feeling low and their communication brings me right out of my funk.
I recently read a post that listed 12 reasons to be thankful for running. I could not have created a better list of reasons to be grateful for running:
- Running taught me to push my limits.
- Running has shown me how to pursue a dream relentlessly, no matter how big it might be.
- Running adapts to different phases of my life.
- Running allows me to experience nature.
- Running brings me closer to others.
- Running helps me solve problems.
- Running provides a safe outlet for stress and anger.
- Running has introduced me to new places.
- Running keeps me in good health.
- Running makes me stronger.
- Running promotes acceptance in a world that so desperately needs it.
- Running provides a safe place of acceptance.
(https://runninforsweets.com/thankful-for-running/#:~:text=Running%20inspires%20me%20to%20head,appreciate%20it%20every%20single%20day)
I am blessed with a family who loves and supports me in so many ways. I cannot imagine how my life might have turned out without them. They love and care about me no matter what. Like most families, we don’t always agree on everything. But regardless of our differences we always love and support each other. One of the best things about having a family like mine is that there is rarely a dull moment. With so many unique individuals, the conversations stray all over the place. Yet we all seem to have a similar sense of humor. Whenever we are together, we laugh constantly creating lasting memories in the process. Each and every day my gratitude and love for them grows stronger.
Someone once said that having children is the most optimistic thing a person can do. I agree. I am grateful for my children because they have always helped me to see the world in new ways. Most importantly, they help me to remember how awe-inspiring the natural world is. I am also grateful for their giving me hope. Even in their 20s, they still have a sense that anything is possible. I have found that living with this attitude makes amazing things happen. They happen because my children don’t place any limitations on what they believe they can accomplish. Finally, they have made me a better person by simply and honestly making me aware of my behavior, which makes me want to control it better.
Finally, I am so grateful to have found the perfect partner in life – my wife. Besides the fact that she is still as beautiful as the day we met; she is one of the most compassionate people I know. Some think she is tough and measured. In fact, she feels deeply for others and always puts the needs of others first. This was proved by how great Mom she is to our children. She pushes me to excellence never discouraging me from trying something new in my career. That encouragement allowed me to start my own consulting business. How many wives would be willing to allow their spouse to leave a high paying job to start their own business especially during a pandemic?
Yet, I am most grateful for her ability to put up with me. I’ve been a pretty big jerk in so many instances over our 35 years of marriage. But she is still here with the love and support I need. I sometimes wonder why she would stay and then I realize that she has a great sense of humor. I find her irreverence at times so refreshing. She can make me laugh when I most need it. We laugh together often and I’m so grateful for that!
It would be easy for us to think of this as the worst time in our life. But we have been through sorrows, loss, and sadness before. I choose to be grateful that I am here. I can remember those bad times of the past and know that I made it through to the other side. By remembering how difficult life can be and how far I have come provides the contrast I need to find gratefulness. So yes, here I am. Going through a very difficult time in our collective lives. Yet, here I am feeling grateful to be here and going through it because I know I will make it through and be better for it.
Sept 22 – 3.10 miles (29:40, 9:33 pace)
Sept 25 – 5.10 miles (47:57, 9:24 pace)
Sept 26 – 8.10 miles (1:16:23, 9:26 pace)
Sept 27 – 5.10 miles (46:33, 9:08 pace)
Sept 29 – 3.10 miles (24:11, 7:48 pace) – Speed Work
Oct 1 – 5.20 miles (54:32, 8:05 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct 2 – 5.10 miles (46:38, 9:09 pace)
Oct 3 – 9.10 miles (1:21:46, 8:59 pace)
Oct 4 – 5.10 miles (37:14, 9:12 pace)
Oct 5 – 5.80 miles (58:50, 10:09 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 6 – 3.20 miles (24:50, 7:45 pace) – Speed Work
Oct 8 – 5.10 miles (42:01, 8:14 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct 9 – 5.10 miles (46:56, 9:12 pace)
Oct 10 – 10.10 miles (1:31:34, 9:04 pace)
Oct 11 – 4.10 miles (37:47, 9:13 pace)
Oct 12 – 4.70 miles (48:37, 10:21 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 13 – 4.10 miles (24:50, 8:37 pace)
Oct 15 – 5.10 miles (45:12, 8:52 pace)
Oct 16 – 5.10 miles (46:01, 9:02 pace)
Oct 17 – 8.10 miles (1:15:27, 9:19 pace)
Oct 18 – 4.10 miles (36:55, 9:00 pace)
Oct 19 – 6.20 miles (1:04:35, 10:25 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 20 – 3.10 miles (24:18, 7:50 pace) – Speed Work
Oct 22 – 5.10 miles (41:08, 8:04 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct 23 – 4.50 miles (40:32, 9:01 pace)
Oct 24 – 9.10 miles (1:24:21, 9:16 pace)
Oct 25 – 4.10 miles (36:25, 8:52 pace)
Oct 26 – 5.20 miles (55:57, 10:46 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 27 – 3.10 miles (24:48, 8:00 pace) – Speed Work
Oct 29 – 5.10 miles (41:41, 8:11 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct 30 – 4.10 miles (37:41, 9:12 pace)
Oct 31 – 10.10 miles (1:24:21, 8:59 pace)
Nov 1 – 4.10 miles (36:25, 9:18 pace)
Nov 2 – 4.80 miles (48:45, 10:10 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 3 – 3.10 miles (24:47, 8:00 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 5 – 5.10 miles (40:39, 7:58 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 6 – 4.10 miles (37:33, 9:10 pace)
Nov 7 – 8.10 miles (1:19:14, 9:40 pace)
Nov 8 – 4.10 miles (37:57, 9:15 pace)
Nov 9 – 5.80 miles (1:03:53, 11:01 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 10 – 3.10 miles (24:32, 7:40 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 12 – 5.10 miles (40:39, 7:58 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 13 – 4.30 miles (37:35, 8:44 pace)
Nov 14 – 9.30 miles (1:27:25, 9:24 pace)
Nov 15 – 4.50 miles (45:10, 10:02 pace)
Nov 16 – 5.50 miles (56:16, 10:14 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 17 – 3.10 miles (23:40, 7:38 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 19 – 5.10 miles (41:33, 8:08 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 20 – 5.10 miles (48:33, 9:31 pace)
Nov 21 – 10.10 miles (1:35:33, 9:27 pace)
Nov 22 – 3.10 miles (28:18, 9:08 pace)
Total Miles: 351.20 miles
2020 Total Miles: 1,603.80 miles
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