Quote of the Day: “I do not run to add years to my life, I run to add life to my years.”
So, I was walking by the plaque that displays this quote in my home and I realized that it’s not true, I am running to add years to my life. I understand that the more positive aspects, like running, there are in my life will actually extend my years. At Skyline, I always put an inspiring “Quote of the Day” on the board so we could all try a little harder and be inspired and when I was diagnosed with cancer, I started to resent these quotes. I had always thought how true they were for those people whose lives were so hard, how great to be so courageous in the face of adversity but when it really comes to it, that’s a different story.
This is countdown week for the marathon. I always get a little edgy the days proceeding, afraid someone will step on my feet or crash into me, fearful that I’ll trip or pull a muscle. Friday, Sue O., Lori, Teri and I got dropped off 2 miles beyond Little Mountain and ran the 10 miles down Emigration Canyon to Hogel Zoo. We were speedy on the downhill part and then my surgery foot started to hurt. I ended up walking the last mile and a half. My foot has been fine on our long runs so I am encouraged that I will be fine on flat or slightly downhill parts of the race. I just hope that I have not injured it for the race on Saturday. I feel a bit of pressure because so many of my friends will be there at the end of the race waiting for me to come across the finish line which is so symbolic of all the kindnesses, caring and concern they have shown me through this whole cancer experience. I know I will be slow but I really want to finish without too much pain. I’m praying for a miracle. I so long for those former marathon days where I was sufficiently prepared for the marathon. I would have those great moments where my body felt like I could go on running forever, where I would experience those runner highs, where I would pass guys, walking and tired, my pony-tail swishing in the breeze. Those days were too short lived.
However, there is always a down time in a marathon, a doubting time, a time where you don’t really think you can keep going, a time where it seems the road will never end, the finish line will never materialize. Isn’t that the same with life? We can’t feel confident and up all the time. There are just too many variables in our lives that keep us guessing, keep us humble, and require that we dig deep to deal with life. I have a “naturally” impatient personality. I am always wanting something in my life to be better, “more” perfect, improved in some way, certainly faster. So yesterday, when I was driving in the car with Maggie and Kate, a song came on that had the word “patient” in it. Maggie piped up “It is so… hard to be patient” to which I just echoed “Amen”. Out of the mouth of babes!
Kate and Maggie, sitting on the deck, looking at the world below.
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