Reaching Out...Reaching In

We need to see what we can do for others in life if we are to have joy within us. For it is in living lives open to others that we find our own true selves.  --Robert J. Wicks

Marathon Lamentation

"The fact that a man runs 20 miles good and the last 5 miles bad is the very reason a good many men do not get any medals for running marathon races." 

-- Johnny Hayes, Winner of the 1908 Olympic Marathon

from the poem--Coleman's Bed

stay in this place
     until the current of the story
          is strong enough
               to float you out

a line by David Whyte in the collection, River Flow

Reflection:
It may be that the current must be strong enough to float you out, but other times, like in this video (and I recommend turning the sound off and watching silently) the hydraulic and the eddy are very strong currents and keep the raft stuck in the same place and only when the raft slips into weaker currents, a more subtle flow, does the raft slip away, free to move downstream and onto the next season of the journey.

Are you pushing too hard? Against forces that are too much for you to bow up against?

Why not try simply relaxing and surfing for these moments and wait for the necessary strong or weak currents? Wait for the flow to float you out.

"That was both the best and most tiring day of my life."

Bring it...tomorrow.

Why I'm NOT Quitting Facebook in 2015: A Response

Why I'm NOT Quitting Facebook in 2015: A Response

Mentally Tough

Check out @RGary2's Tweet: https://twitter.com/RGary2/status/544853473918205953?s=09

The Gift of Presence

"Presence" is truly one of the best gifts we can offer to others in need. The value of presence to another person should not be understated. When we sit with people in the darkness and "help them cry" we model hope and new possibilities in ways even we sometimes don't realize.

from Snow Falling on Snow by Robert Wicks

Meagan Nedlo Qualifies for the Olympic Trials Marathon

Back on November 15th, Meagan Nedlo ran herself one heck of a race at the Anthem Richmond Marathon. The 32 year old Kenyan Salem, MA resident finished in 2:40:48. This placed Meagan 3rd amongst the ladies racing that day and was also good enough for 16th overall. Also, that time will get her into the 2016 Olympic Trials for the marathon.

Nedlo Gets her OTQ in Richmond...read more at Level Renner and be inspired.

Downhill Running

"I lean with the hill.... I know I'm doing it right if it feels like I'm going to fall on my face, but don't."
--Ed Eyestone on downhill running

Late for Work

"Man, that cat's late for work every morning."
--Conversation overheard by ultramarathoner Ted Corbitt, who used to run to the subway before work each day.

OAR Again

Take out your bible. Not Jack Daniels. Not Noakes. The other one. The Old Testament. Now turn to page 12. Breathe in. Breathe out. Let the words soak in:

He wanted to impart some of the truths Bruce Denton had taught him, that you don't become a runner by winning a morning workout. The only true way is to marshal the ferocity of your ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and (if you could finally come to accept it) years. The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials. How could he make them understand?

from OAR (Once a Runner) and pulled from Talia's blog. Nice post--year in review--2014.