Relentless Forward Progress

While I may seldom make it to midnight on New Year's Eve, there are two traditions that I faithfully observe before the ball drops: I go to Mass and thank God for the grace and goodness he has bestowed on my life in the past year, and I total my running mileage and set new goals for the coming year.  For a lot of people, that second tradition may seem pretty self absorbed, but both provide the self reflection and spirituality that is paramount in my life.  After all, so much of my running involves prayerful thought and reflection.  I am closer to God when I am out in the woods, with the raw, cold wind blowing on my face, and listening is easier when there is no sound but my footfalls.  There are so many questions that are asked and answered while I am running.

Last New Year's Eve, I was heavily into a training plan to get me to my first 100 mile race.  I was faster, stronger, and so optimistic.  Everything was falling into place, and then, well, it wasn't.  With only 5 weeks to go before the race, I injured my knee and it made running at all, much less 100 miles, an unattainable goal.  But that came and went, and new goals were set, new conversations started.  I wasn't mad, or bitter, just disappointed and resigned to the fact that this year, this race was not meant to be.  My time on the trails had taught me that you just have to keep moving forward - sometimes in a direction that you never intended to take.  So that is what I did - running other races and continuing my pursuit of the 100 (some day).  So far so good.  I am training again for Umstead, and trying to listen more and worry less.  Whatever the outcome, I know it will be the right outcome for me.  So goodbye to 2013 with goals unmet.  Thank you for teaching me perseverance and bravery.  Thank you for not allowing my failures to define me and giving me the opportunity and ability to try again.