Gratitude

I’ve been working, running, and riding a lot lately, and I love it. As much as I’d like to do Leadman again, it’s not going to happen. After 14 finishes of the 100 mile bike race, 3 finishes of the 100 mile run and dozens of Silver Rush and Leadville Marathons, Roswitha has had enough of Leadville and is begging me to do something else.  There isn’t really any event quite like the Leadman so I’ve come up with a bucket list of various events for 2013 but haven’t really committed to anything. So for the last couple of months I’ve been running and riding for the sheer love of it.

Over the week of Thanksgiving I took on the Carmichael Thanksgiving Challenge which is ride for at least 250 miles during the week. I made it a little bit more challenging by mixing the mileage with running. Also almost all my bike mileage was either single speed or mountain biking, so the miles came a bit slower. I ended up with 205 miles on the bike and 61 miles running. Being Thanksgiving and all I came to appreciate the fact that at 55 years old I CAN do this. I am so thankful to be able to do what I absolutely love day in and day out.


Best Running Buddy Ever! Max runs everywhere with me

As I thought more about this I realized that in many ways I am in better shape at 55 then when I was in high school. Sure I was much faster at the shorter distances, but I couldn’t of imagined running or riding the distances I do now. And so many of these runs and rides, especially with friends, make me feel like a high school kid again. There is always that sense of adventure on an epic mountain bike ride or run in the mountains, along with the fulfillment of pushing yourself to the limit.

Two years ago to the day I started a long six month interferon and ribavirin treatment that pretty much took me out of commission for almost a year. I tried to continue to ride and run during that time but often was reduced to barely crawling out of bed and shuffling around the block. After I completed the treatment it took months to get my red blood cell count back and slowly get back in shape. During this time I didn’t enjoy running or riding and wondered if I ever would again. I began to get an idea what running must be like for people who don’t exercise and could see why they may not like it. However after going through that, it showed me that no matter how old you are, or how out of shape you are, you can still get yourself in shape and feel like a kid again.  It doesn’t have to be running. It can be anything you love to do; walking, gardening, tennis, yoga, there are so many choices. It’s just a matter going out and doing it. It’s hard at first, but then it becomes one of the things you look forward to everyday. Do what you love and you’ll love what you do. The key is the word “ DO”.

 I saw a video the other day that really spoke to me. The video is from a series about an incredible young ultra-distance mountain runner Killian Jornet; one of the best if not the best mountain runner on the planet. In this video he visits Pablo Vigal a 60 year old runner living in Colorado. What really impressed me in this video is Pablo’s enthusiasm, passion, and love for running. Not to mention he’s hanging with a kid that could be his grandson and happens to be one of the best in the world. He exemplifies everything I feel about endurance, running and life.

So as we slip into the holiday period and we reflect on what we can be thankful for, I am so grateful that I can live my dream every day.  Well Max is giving me that look… Time to go for a run!