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Because I didn’t want to bore you guys with yet another marathon training report, this week I decided to bore the readers of my personal site instead. Quick summary: yesterday I ran eight miles on a dirt trail and loved it. My mother wrote with an anecdote and some words of encouragement:
Do you remember when I ran in the 10K in Canby many years ago? I had been running (I thought) quite a bit, but when the starting gun went off, I learned I had been jogging. I was behind everyone right away, but I kept a steady pace and I finished, even if I finished last. It was fun to finally be heading to the tent where the other runners who had finished were gathered and get an ovation when they saw me coming! That took away any embarrassment I might have had from being the last person in. Likely you will finish far ahead of that, although I learned that day that it didn’t really matter when you finished, as long as you finished. Go for it!
I have to admit, however, that I’m exhausted today. The run leader had warned me I would be. I don’t regret ignoring his admonition, but I concede that I was a little too cocky. Ultimately, the eight miles were good for me, but I’m glad I didn’t got for ten!
Mac
5 responses so far ↓
1 AndrewE // Apr 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Great words from your mum.
2 Pam // Apr 20, 2008 at 7:57 pm
In runner’s lingo, your mom was DFL (dead f*ing last), which, despite the unsavory name, does hold a bit of distinction and honor, for last place far exceeds the other common running abrieviations : DNF (did not finish) and DNS (did not start). Completing a race is an accomplishment in itself. It sounds like the other runners gave your mom the kudos she deserved!
3 Red // Apr 20, 2008 at 9:32 pm
It’s a good pain though, a smug pain.
The fact I can barely move proves I did something yesterday.
4 Susan // Apr 21, 2008 at 6:56 pm
nice work JD, I am impressed!
5 Joshua // Apr 22, 2008 at 9:17 am
I concur with your mother. That is one of the things I love so much about the running world. The last man across the line gets just as much cheering as the first. While I have never finished last(much to my amazment), I am usually closer to them than Jaron up front.
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