Day 1
January 1, 2012
It wasn’t much but it was something. Good thing something
was enough.
I have never been a streak runner. That’s not to say I haven’t
been impressed, even amazed, by long-term running. I’ve always been a believer
in rest days—and have needed them. But some time in the last twenty-four hours,
I have this strange urge to take it on.
On this first day of the year, I occupied myself with
cleaning, purging and organizing while I kept one eye on the TV. “Radio” was
on, an inspiring true story about James Robert Kennedy, a developmentally
challenged young man. The caring football coach of Hanna High took Radio, as he
was known given his passion for radios, under his wing. Perhaps it was
metamorphosis, compassion, the pure joy of sport, the honest pursuit of purpose
and perseverance that made me consider this task.
I’ve been asked about my running goals for 2012. I’ve
considered many things but none seemed quite right. Hence, I’ve had no answer.
Until now.
I’m in dire need of purpose. I yearn for something to keep
me honest and moving in the right direction. My rule will be at least a mile a
day. No excuses. No regrets.
Will the world become new if I remain true? Hardly. In fact,
few will care. But I care. I care to commit once again because I know it’s good
for me. In 2008, I decided to journey my devotional thoughts every day of 2008.
The reality became the hardest thing I have ever done. But it was also the most
rewarding in terms of maturity, spiritual insight, and appreciation of each
day’s gifts, challenges and difficulties.
I suspect there will be major obstacles in my quest. I will
be tired, there will be a cold, driving rain, I might be sick or injured, it could
be scorching hot. But I also know I will have time to think, contemplate, pray.
I know sometimes I will want to go blank. I know I will feel better in the end.
I will feel accomplished. Even if I run a mere mile, I will have run. I will
have won.
So, it started this afternoon. Having run long in the
mountains on a hurting knee yesterday, my run was a piddley mile and a half
right as it was starting to blow and rain. In this Leap Year, I have only 365
days to go.
Run silent. Run deep. Run long. Run strong. . .One day at a time.
Stay tuned for daily blog postings.
Comments
I love my "rest" days so even though a mile seems so little (perhaps just 8-10 min), I know it will still be hard at times.
This is something I have never done so I figured I would give it a try.