Emotional betting, that was the term my counselor used to describe when I was placing an inordinate amount of importance on that which was fleeting . The thinking was that I would invest so much emotional capital into hoping for a certain outcome that if it did not come true I was pretty much devastated. Since my personality was pretty much an all in one I understood what he was talking about. With the Naperville marathon one week out I hope to avoid that mistake that I made so often in the past. Years ago I went from a man of peak fitness to one who had to rest halfway up the stairs due to asthma and sinus issues. I had invested huge amounts of capital in my identity as an energy guy, a fitness fanatic, that when that was stripped from me I was rocked, humbled. So, it is with that as a backdrop that I do my first marathon in 25 years, hopefully a bit wiser in life, but cognizant that the same investment decisions that plagued me many years ago can still re enter through the side door. My identity today is firmly in Christ and the hope of a character refined by this lifes trials. That is an investment that cannot be taken from me, one that I cannot bet too heavily on. If I crash and burn at the race(which is quite possible), my wife is still going to love me, as well as my kids, the dog is still going to wag his tail, and who I am as a person will remain unchanged. My performance in the marathon or in anything else for that matter does not dictate who I am. So that reality leaves me free to run with no pressure to meet a certain expectation, just enjoy Gods gift of being able to run a marathon again. So, for anyone local who would like to come cheer me on the race starts at 7:30. I am humbled by how many friends are coming out, my good friend Blake who saw me qualify for Boston 25 years ago will be there as may my buddy Jerry who was also there. To have my five kids be able to watch is a joy hard to describe. I am taking our ERC president Rich Zappen s counsel into play and have myriad goals for the day. My first goal I have already made and that is to prepare to the best of my ability and to be reasonably healthy. One could argue that the prep itself is tougher than the race, so I am quite proud for having worked hard for the last 3-4 months. The second goal is just to finish, the third goal is to finish without walking. The fourth goal is to keep my goal pace of 8:30 through 18-20 miles, the fifth goal is to meet the Boston qualifying standard of 3:55 for a 60 year old, and my sixth and final goal is to keep my 8:30 pace throughout the race, which would be a 3:43 finish. Thanks to all who have helped me prepare, it is quite a list from my trusted training partners to coach Kurt. I am going to take my own advice and remember that its the journey that truly matters not the destination.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:18:29 +0000
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