Nifty Nuggets of Knowledge

Those of you who are familiar with my running know that I always start a race asking God to give me a bit of wisdom for my efforts. It never fails. I always walk away having gleaned some nifty nugget of knowledge. Yesterday was no exception. Before I'd cross the finish line, I had been gifted with two humdingers.


We enjoyed fine weather and had a record number of participants for the 30th Anniversary of the Coca Cola Classic 10k, 2011.  This was my 10th year to run this event.  Last year in this event my finishing time was 63minutes (10min. mile).  Over the past months I had trained hard to shave off some of my finishing time and I was quite confident in consistantly running a 9minute mile.  Making my finishing time somewhere short of 55minutes.  (Okay, I realize that isn't a fast run for most runners but I am proudly a member of the "Waddler Pack", accolades to John "The Penguin" Bingham, our fearless leader.)  During training I'd pushed so hard that I had severely weakened my left achilles tendon. 

Bouncing on my toes waiting for the starting gun, I made my request and then we were off.    The gun fired me off to a good start.   Everything was clicking.  Then, somewhere along the second mile I felt it.  It was like someone had struck a match in my left achilles.  I gritted my teeth and adjusted my gait.  Struggled, but finished the run in 66minutes averaging a 10minute mile throughout the event.  If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, "Forcing anything is a step backwards."  Lesson number 1, under my belt!  I got it!  Forcing doesn't make you powerful, it makes you late!  I will start all over.    I'll train right.  Come September, I'll run my marathon, and walk away feeling right and ready to boogie at the post-race party.

Now, on to nifty nugget number 2. (ew! that didn't sound right.)  You understand I'm speaking of life lessons, yes?  (Made ya giggle!) Seriously now.  I've ran many races during the past 10 years and all but one I have been alone at the finish line.  Never bothered me.  Yesterday as I ran through the shoot, I smacked right into an emotional wall.  Barely got away from the croud before I crumpled into a heap of tears.  At that moment, I felt completely alone.  Not just alone at the race but alone in my life.  I gathered myself up and wandered down a few blocks.  Whirling around in my pity-pot, unable to see the forest for the trees.  Tears streamed down my face.  My heart was in my throat.  And Then... Then my phone rang.  It was Nelda, my life long friend of 38 years.  She had ran a midnight event the night before and yet rousted early to come and take finish line photos of me.  To be with me.  Lesson #2?  The most rare and precious commodity in this life is a true friend.  It has been well said, "...a friend loves at all times...."

I finished.  Walked away with two golden bits of wisdom, nifty nuggets, if you will; 1- forcing anything just hinders the flow and 2- no one is ever truly alone.