Daddy had an interesting week. Now that I am slowing down the training so I can rest more for the upcoming http://www.blackmountainmarathon.com/ I definitely feel that I am highly unprepared for this first adventure to my 40th year. This is a good lesson for me that while I have a good base, I am truly in no shape to be "running" 40 miles. I guess what I can pass on from this is that doing part of your homework is not the same as doing your homework. I know that I'll be on a mountain somewhere begging for mercy as I try to save face for having even signed up for this.
I have also learned that 40 miles is nothing...compared to others. I have a friend who ran 100 miles a couple of weeks ago in under 18 hours. I also am learning about people who have done a double deca ironman triathlon, 20 times the distance of an ironman (48 mile swim, 2240 mile bike, 524 mile run), of which only 10 people started last year and not sure how many finished and they only have 28 days to do it all. By the way, the winner gets $2000, which equates to roughly $4.00/hour if you are counting. I guess that's pretty good since my first job as a dishwasher at 14 years old yielded $3.35/hour. I should have gotten into double deca ironman winning business in order to increase my tax return.
I feel like the lesson is that there will always be someone willing and able to do something greater than you. Even the most accomplished and successful people realize that they typically have one day, after all of their preparation, to do something great...to perform...to amaze and to win. On that one day, they can be the best at anything. But there will be another day where someone else will want that spot, will want what you have and will want to take it from you. You cant be the best forever, but I guarantee it will be interesting if you ever are, even for just one day.
I also went to a funeral this week. Aunt Carole passed away. While you may not remember her as you grow older, Daddy will always have great stories for you to keep her memory alive. She was so sweet, thoughtful, kind, funny and she loved asking about you guys and finding out how you were growing up. She was super cool and she will be missed by so many.
Please understand that people will come and go in your life. You may have a chance to spend a minute with them or in some cases, a lifetime. However, in either case, I know that you'll always remember them, no matter how minuscule the interaction. Something throughout your day, at any moment, will make you recall a specific moment in time that accentuates the time, day, smells, lighting and emotion of a period that may have seemed insignificant at the time. I remember, when I was 4, a neighbor down my street that took me with his kids to Burger King after I invited myself to go...they just moved to the neighborhood. I remember my mother, GG, running out of our house and chasing me with a dark blue, cardigan sweater when I screamed towards the house that I would be going to the Burger King with the new neighbors. I also remember sitting in the Burger King and these new neighbors being very quiet eaters; probably thinking that they made a mistake moving to our street now that little 4 year olds think they can do whatever they want. This is a special gift that we all have and is probably given us to remember where we came from so we can attempt to humble ourselves as life tries to change us.
Running 40 miles next week will, most likely, generate so many memories for me. But I am more excited to experience the memories already instilled in me through the hours and hours of effort and quiet. I plan to think of you a lot that day. I hope that by my running and learning, I can become a better father for you.
I love you.
Daddy
Peace.
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