i’m still here
In the middle of August, we headed to Fredonia for Kevin and Kasey’s wedding. At some point I started feeling sick and had to leave the reception. Lar took me back to the hotel. Long story short, she found out what the “for worse” part of our wedding vows meant.
I’m not certain, but I’m thinking it was some kind of flu because Lara ended up getting sick a few days later. I didn’t eat anything on Sunday. On Monday night, I felt well enough to head to the greatest county fair the world has ever known. Had a few french fries there, but that was it for the day. I still felt pretty weak on Tuesday and Wed. Decided to hold off on the mid-week runs because I just didn’t have the energy.
By the time Saturday came, I was feeling better, but I decided to wait until Sunday to do my scheduled 13 miles. Normally I would run north into Park Slope, but I wasn’t feeling great so I decided to stick close to home. From the start, it’s a tough run. I think being sick, and not taking in enough food all week has done a number on my energy level. Feel really weak. No strength in the legs.
Mile 7 comes. I realize that it just isn’t gonna happen today, and I start to feel pretty down. Another step back. First it was injury. Then it was school got too busy. Then I get sick. What the hell?
Then I start thinking about a lyric. “I’m still here.” (I’ll be damned if I remember which tune it’s from.) It got me thinking and I realized that if you can’t always bring your ‘A’ game, sometimes just showing up is good enough. So I say it out loud a few times…
And would you believe it?
I was able to finish my 13 miles!
I’m just yanking you, I stopped at 8 miles.
(You read the part about me being malnourished, right? What did you think was going to happen? Sheesh.)
Anyway, the lesson remains.
And I am still here, now in training for the New York City Marathon on November 1st. Tomorrow is a 12 mile run, the end of week 12. Lots of stuff has happened since the Buffalo Relay (Dan’s race report is here) including a new hat. A new royal blue, Donnie Osmond hat. It didn’t look that blue online.
tom waits has a song called ‘i’m still here’ – was that it? probably not, but it is one of the prettiest things he’s ever done. oh btw, about f***ing time getting back to this (i dont remember if you allow as much swearing on your blog as i do on mine).
You come back with this tease of a post with promises of more to come and then disappear again! WTF!!
re: tom waits – I had no idea that I had that record. That is a really pretty tune. I should give that record a chance as I’ve been told by a few people that it’s really good. TW lost me years ago when I picked up a greatest hits thing called “Beautiful Maladies.” Not good. It seemed that he lost the desire (ability?) to… you know… sing. Every damn song sounded like him gargling with gravel and I hated it a whole lot.
re: Dawg – Ah. That’s why I threw in the “or so” bit at the end. That way you can never be late, can you?