13.1

I ran a half marathon. At about mile 11 it occurred to me that most people don't run 11 miles. Even as slowly as I do. Especially as slowly as I do. Anyway, it was a good race. I was excited to finally get to see the results of a lot of training. And the best part was that until mile 9, I felt really strong. The last four miles were horrendous. But I finished. And afterword, I felt powerful.

It's a weird thing to see yourself change looking through the rear view mirror. My body wakes me up at 7 every day, even when I sleep in. I have a pet dog, which means I have a commitment to another creature that lives in my house. And I have set some goals and met them. I guess I have always done that, but often times I feel like I give up before I actually accomplish my goals.

But this time, despite missing an occasional training, we trained for months. There were some really great runs, and some really terrible ones (none worse than the run I did after drinking McDonalds coffee. I am neither a coffee drinker or an advocate of McDonalds) but it was just a run when it was all said and done.

Then yesterday came around and I was amazed at how fast the mile markers would come. (Understand, I only refer to the ones before mile 10!) I remember my first four mile run and how proud I was to finish. Now I've completed a half marathon. And it won't be my last.

I am so impatient. I want instant results. I want easy answers, I want change and I want it immediately. I want my students to be able to read. Tomorrow. I want to lose 10 more pounds. Today. I want to be more organized. Tonight. But life isn't that way.

The magnet on my fridge is just an oval with 13.1 written in black block type. But for me it stands for more. It stands as a reminder that life is a long obedience in the same direction. It is doing the next thing again and again and again. Most days are not exciting. And then you get to a race day that reminds you how far you've actually come.

On the other side 13 miles doesn't seem very far. It's funny how perspective changes everything. Now I know that I can run 13 miles, and I wonder if 26.2 is my next step? Or a faster 13.1? And oddly, either way, it starts with another 3 mile run tomorrow.