Sometimes the things you love surprise you. I love swimming in the Bay. I love it. It's been the highlight of my tri-training. I'm not crazy about swimming in the pool. But swimming in the Bay is the new Harney & Sons. I was completely intimidated to head out to Alacatraz yesterday. But I was also the first one to jump off the boat because I thought what's the use of sitting here being nervous, and I was also excited to get it on. And that's totally out of character for me. I love having new experiences, but I'm also more prone to hanging back and letting someone else try it first. Yesterday I couldn't wait. I didn't really care about being first off the boat, but nobody else was going and I didn't want to sit there fucking around, getting more nervous by the second. If you're going to do it anyway, why delay?
Today I ran just over 13 miles at my "race pace." That's a half marathon. I had planned on running 12, but at mile 11 or so it occured to me that I was creeping up on a half marathon, and when you're that close, why not go all the way? Actually, the question that ran through my mind was "why not just run 13?" it floors me that this question could even occur to me. I ran track and cross country in high school, and today was the equal of longest I ran way back then, 19 years ago. Today it was no big deal. I ran the whole thing at an eight and ahalf minute pace and left plenty on the table. My plan this afternoon isn't to lie about on the couch; it's to take Andre bike shopping.
And all of this is due to my friend Lisa. Lisa was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last year and it was in her honor that I started doing this, and only because of her that I've been able to keep it up. My main goal here is not to get in shape, but rather to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The fitness is simply a nice side effect. But I do love it, and I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.
u p d a t e Oh! Oh, my! I have to update this because, as often happens, I became excited while relaying my little story, and completely, totally forgot the point of what I came here to say in the first place. Which is this: You shouldn't shy away from trying new things; you never know what you will love.
Today I ran just over 13 miles at my "race pace." That's a half marathon. I had planned on running 12, but at mile 11 or so it occured to me that I was creeping up on a half marathon, and when you're that close, why not go all the way? Actually, the question that ran through my mind was "why not just run 13?" it floors me that this question could even occur to me. I ran track and cross country in high school, and today was the equal of longest I ran way back then, 19 years ago. Today it was no big deal. I ran the whole thing at an eight and ahalf minute pace and left plenty on the table. My plan this afternoon isn't to lie about on the couch; it's to take Andre bike shopping.
And all of this is due to my friend Lisa. Lisa was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last year and it was in her honor that I started doing this, and only because of her that I've been able to keep it up. My main goal here is not to get in shape, but rather to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The fitness is simply a nice side effect. But I do love it, and I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.
u p d a t e Oh! Oh, my! I have to update this because, as often happens, I became excited while relaying my little story, and completely, totally forgot the point of what I came here to say in the first place. Which is this: You shouldn't shy away from trying new things; you never know what you will love.
Originally posted on mat.vox.com
