Looking together in the same direction.

Looking together in the same direction.
Sea otters hold hands while they sleep so they don't drift apart.

by my favorite poet, Mary Oliver

"Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it."

Mary Oliver


Monday, October 3, 2011

Running burritos, an extraordinary trip, and being the slowest winner

     Family stayed with us this weekend.  It was great seeing everyone.  Unfortunately Dean and my brother were under the weather.  Get well quick guys.
    
     I have been trying to get out more to enjoy this gorgeous autumn we are experiencing  by taking more walks.  It seems that many others are also.  I have met so many people in the past few days who ask where our big black dog has gone.  (We had to have her put down due to illness back in June).   It reminds me what a fantastic dog our Sadie-girl was for her to have touched so many lives.  There will only ever be one Sadie-dog.  I guess I still am "the lady with the big black dog," even without my big black dog.

     I have mentioned that we belong to a Saturday morning running/walking group through our local running store.  The social aspects are becoming more important to us as we get to know more of the people there.  They are not hard-core athletic types as I feared when we started.  They are just people of all ages trying to improve their health like we are.   I earned my free running group tee-shirt last week after attending 10 times, and Dean will pick his up this week.  Who wouldn't want a tee-shirt with a running burrito on the back!  I love it. 




     I have gone to their Wednesday night running group three times now, as well.  They do intervals and speed work.  I know you are thinking what I think, that I don't have any speeds.  You are correct.  But I swallow my pride and go anyway.  I need to learn to go a little faster.  And in every group someone must be last.  That is my role.  At least for this year.  Anyway, last is just the slowest winner.
      Ultrarunner Dean Karnazes said that:  "If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself--expanding and learning as you go--you're choosing a numb existence.  you're denying yourself an extraordinary trip."  I want this to be an extraordinary trip.
 

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