Learning at the Heart

100 Posts in 100 Days

I was a “wannabe runner” for a period of time.  I say “wannabe” because after growing up as a fairly serious gymnast, my knees don’t hold up so well routinely pounding on the pavement.  My “wannabe” years were in my 30s.  I had a regular training regimen and routinely entered local 5k fun runs.  Before conceding that walking was a much better option for me than running, I managed to squeeze in 3 half-marathons, and all the training to go with them.

There was a pattern to my races.  Hundreds of runners would be in the queue stretching, checking race watches, adjusting shoes, and waiting for the start signal.  The horn would blow and the crowd would be off.  It was generally a slow and gradual start while the group of runners crossed over the start line.  

As each runner found their stride, the crowd would dissipate and there would be plenty of room to set my own pace.  My first mile was about warming up.  The next few miles were all about my rhythm.  My body and muscles would get in the routine and every movement felt automatic.  Around mile 7, I would be sure to fuel with some energy candies and water to keep me going.  

Then it would be mile 11.  Mile 11 was hard.  I was getting tired, my legs were heavy, my feet were sore.  I would think I couldn’t make it.  That’s when I would set a series of mini-goals.  I would find a marker just ahead and tell myself, “Just make it to the next street light.”  At the street light I would say, “Get to the crosswalk.”  At the crosswalk I would say, “Keep going to the white house” and so on.  

Before I knew it, I would be at mile 12, then mile 12.5, then close enough to hear the finish line.  Yes, I could hear the finish line before I could see it.  Crowds cheering, music blaring, announcers announcing.  I knew the end was near.  And then I would turn a corner and SEE the finish line. Suddenly my heavy legs and sore feet moved just a bit quicker, eager and motivated to cross the line.   

 

Here I am, Post #90 of 100 Posts in 100 Days.  I started slowly on May 1 with a few plans and ideas.  I found my stride “chunking” my posts into series of 10 and including reflections and “The Pulse” in each set of 10.  I kept going.  I hit some “mile 11” moments, times when I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to think of what to write.  In each of those moments, I said to myself, “Just open your computer.”  Each time, I came up with a post.  And now, it’s mile 12.5.  The end is so close that all I want to do is put everything on hold and write the final 10 posts.  I feel like it’s a sprint to the finish and I’m excited to get there! 

Finish line image: http://clipart-library.com/