Saturday Morning is full of Hope

I love this photo.  It was taken two weeks ago while I was out with my running club.  It shows several groups of runners out ahead of us on the trail.  Usually you can't see a mile ahead like this.  I love this particular trail, well, except for the hills!  Today we are going to a trail I have never been to before.  And I am going to do 9 miles, and I am looking forward to that as much as I used to look forward to a nice pint at my favorite bar.

Yesterday I registered for a half marathon - it is on September 25.  I thought I wasn't going to do another one, but reconsidered.  I have wanted to do this race since I heard of it a year and a half ago.  It is a mile from my house!  It has two river crossings in it!  It has 900 feet of elevation gain in it!  It will be killer and I have little doubt I will come in last in the half marathon, but I think it will be fun if I can just leave my ego aside and just enjoy it for what it is - a killer half marathon.  The event also includes a 50K and a 50 mile, so I won't be last overall, therefore it won't have the humiliation factor.

I think I won't ever be in the shape to decide two weeks out to do a half marathon again.  I don't want to train like this again.  I could be wrong, because I have been before.  Next year I hope to do an olympic distance triathlon.  I think that is a good goal for the year I am 60.

And I know you all think I am nuts, but there is Alzheimer's in my family and exercise has been proven to slow the onset.  There is also heart disease and cancer and I don't need to tell you about that.

God was good enough to get me sober, I can show my gratitude by taking care of the life he has saved. I really believe that.