Why???
I was posed the following semi-rhetorical question by a fellow co-worker. My response captivated me and I re-read it probably 4 times — it’s a wonderful summary of what accomplishing this really means to me.
Here’s the question:
“I’m still boggled that this is how you would choose to celebrate your birthday on Saturday?!?! Kind of a “strange” way to ring in a new year, don’t you think? ;-}”
To which I responded:
“At face value it may seem strange. I totally agree! Let’s try this perspective: Place yourself at the finish line. Although there’s plenty of pain, you’re filled with happiness in it’s most primordial state. Everything else in life is a subtle blur in your peripheral vision. You’ve accomplished the unthinkable; a goal that most say can never be achieved. There you stand in complete awe of yourself. It’s not about running – it’s about realizing we’re all capable of something great and it’s only our self imposed boundaries that make us think otherwise. How could you not wish to celebrate THAT on your birthday?”
Your response is absolutely perfect. Not that “normal” people can really understand. I think it takes at least 50 miles in one go to appreciate the feeling.
I see from Twitter that you’re in Seattle. Resist the urge to do too much sightseeing unless it’s done seated!
mweston said this on August 27, 2009 at 7:56 pm
That’s great, Franz. These running events are about so much more than running. Reading Dean Karnazes’ first book helped me put these feelings into words. To paraphrase him, “Being challenged and overcoming challenges invigorates the human spirit. Having a mundane comfortable existence is not living life to its fullest.”
Ron said this on August 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm