I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'm confused. Right now, I'm doing music in the military. I always go back to music when I can't decide what to do because it's fun and safe. But I can't see it as a lifetime career. Here's what I'm thinking: I kicked as at all the pilot test stuff, except the eyes. Forget them, they can be fixed. It'd be kick ass to be a pilot, because I love going fast, the air is cooler than the water, and girls dig it. I wasted some time in college switching between majors and such, but I can maybe make it up now. Since the Navy will pay for a few courses each year, and if I stay in for 20, there's a possibility that I could finish a Master's in Health Administration, and also earn degrees in Aeronautics or Aerospace Engineering. Physics was always my favorite subject, but I was dumb and naive in thinking that all I can do with that is silly research and make ice cream with Bergman. Anyway, it'd be cool to fly now, and then when I'm out, go work for NASA or Boeing or something as an engineer, pilot, or some kind of physical therapy study in zero gravity or sustained flight.
Okay, responses to worries about "THE PLAN"
Here's my 5 cents:
The plan is good, and you (Charles) have done enough running and training in the past to construct a reasonable plan. It's just harder and longer than any plan before, making it seem daunting. So I agree with Ben.
On the other hand, like Ted used to say, it's not written in stone. If you feel bad one day, don't push it, because delaying the event a day or a week is better than sustaining an injury and not even completing the goal.
Take me for example. My goal was to break 3:00 in the marathon this December. I followed a marathon training plan that I've done before, but this time I didn't have the base to build upon. Thus, my knee acted up with the quick input of running to the system, as well as the large amounts of biking. So, even before the sprain, I wasn't planning on running it, or at least striving for that goal.
So I turned my sights on the 100 miler, given more time. I waited for the knee to settle, and started the plan two weeks after you guys. It worked out better that time, but then the sprain fucked it up. So now, by the time I'm fully recovered and able to handle mileage, I'll be 6-7 weeks behind.
Here's the nickle: I'm postponing the 100 miler to a later date: perhaps May.
In February, I'll still try and do 50mi or 100k. This is the best thing for me.
As for you two: if your body is doing okay, and it's just a mental balk, keep going. You're only 25% done with the plan. If it were a mile race, we're just getting started. This first lap was the frenzy, everyone fighting for position, trying to keep your heart rate low, but turning your legs over like a madman. This next leg will decide the pace. Will you keep going? Do you need to slow down and regroup for the next race? Whatever you decide will be best. Just remember to be safe.
That said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, the only easy day was yesterday, and to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
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3 comments:
Yes, yes, a lot to think about in life when you have a set of skills and interests as varied as the colors of a Arizonan sunset...
Only you can figure out what you want to do, but what is best, I think, is to separate what you want to do from what you really want to do.
I would provide an example, but I am lacking, other than the scenario of me almost going to grad school for an MFA. Sure, it would have been a good time and very enjoyable, but when I stepped back and thought about it, writing wasn't what I really wanted to do. Sure, it was a good time, but then I watched some videos about Sabine Meyer and Ricardo Morales (both excellent clarinetists) and was like "that shet is cool!" Sure, when I read something good, I appreciate it, but music, for me is different.
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It seems that all of us have had something go amuck in the past few weeks, you with your knee and ankle, me with my long/death march/confidence killer run (but still good), and Ben with his knee, or achilles, or foot, or testicles. But if you really think about it, a couple of months is not that long at all. Four months, let's say, is not that long, considering that you have been running for probably 108 months.
You two are wise. Wise birds.
Just like, two wise birds, that, instead of flying around like wacka-doos you sit and wait patiently while contemplating whatever it is birds contemplate.
This week has been a very long week off of running. Yesterday, the foot felt great, until I ran through the hood back from target. It pulsed and ached with that explosion feeling. I'm going to wait it out and aim for the long run next weekend.
Anton, I loved the mile race analogy, and your statement at the end was glorious.
word: cries
definition: a depressed state of mind accompanied by a high sodium liquid excreted by the tear ducts.
Sentence: Ben cries when kicked in the testicles.
Charles cries when kicked in the groin.
Anton never cries. Until he is kicked in the balls.
You lie Ben! I don't cry when kicked in the balls. I throw up.
However, I do cry whenever I hear an emotional chord progression or watch a movie about war. Hearing patriotic stuff makes the eyes well up too sometimes.
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