Yesterday was the 6th Anniversary of Chicago's Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race. It was a brisk low 30's morning with over 40,000 participants running for mugs with treats in them to be dipped in hot chocolate and washed down with hot cocoa!! Thank goodness my blood glucose is more regulated or I would be in some one's emergency room rather than at home blogging about my experience!!! :)
As the run started, my wife and I were grouped together in the second wave of runners to run the course. When it was our turn, after a long wait, we started our run trough the tunnels and streets of Chicago. We saw people of all sizes, nationalities, and physical abilities. There was a young with one leg in front us, talk about inspiring!! We all had one common goal, to finish the race and enjoy our share of chocolate!!
I signed my wife and I up for the 15k which is 9.3 miles. For non-runners, such as ourselves, this was not the easiest thing in the world to do!!! Maintaining a quick pace, while absorbing the shock of constant pounding on concrete, over time takes a toll on the knees, ankles and lower back. At the 5k/15k course split we had a choice to make: follow the majority of the crowd and stop at the 5k point? or press on toward the 15k finish line? My wife said it was up to me, thanks sweetie!! The pain was just starting to introduce itself but, thought to myself if I want to be an Ironman one day this is only the beginning.
There are times in life when we have to make a split second decision: quit or keep going. For me quitting is not an option. I've come too far to turn around!!!
There is a scene in the movie Gattaca (which are base pair DNA sequences, I thought I would throw this in to prove my Microbiology degree was not a complete waste of time but, I digress) starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, were people are genetically engineered to assume the elite places in society. Society is split into two categories the valid (genetically superior) and the invalids (genetically inferior) One of the subplots of the movie is about two brothers one valid the other invalid. Its a very good movie about the lengths an invalid (Hawke) goes through to achieve his dreams.
The story begins describing the nature of the relationship between two brothers and their parents. Vincent, the eldest son, born naturally with genetic impurities versus his younger brother Anton, born with a leg up in the world, having the genetic 'right stuff' to be successful in life.
Vincent and Anton were typical brothers who competed in everything. Naturally, Anton being genetically superior would win every contest and Vincent being genetically inferior would lose. Anton was favored by his father and Vincent was treated like a weakling. Until one day something strange happened, Vincent beat Anton while swimming, in fact Vincent had to save his younger Anton. Watch the movie for what happened next its a thriller suspense!!
As adults the brothers are faced with a critical dilemma. They decide to resolve it by swimming in the cold dark ocean to prove who is superior and who is not. As they strip down and swim out into the deep they are side by side then like in childhood Vincent pulls ahead and keeps going. Anton is yelling: "Stop! We need to turn around, we've come too far. We won't make it to the other side!!!" Vincent shouts back: "Do you wanna quit?" Anton screams: "No!" so they keep swimming stroke for stroke until Anton pulls up pleading to stop because he is fearful and on the verge on drowning for the second time in his perfect life. Shocked, bewildered, and gasping for air Anton asks: "How are you doing this? How have you done any of this?" Vincent responds; "I didn't save anything for the swim back!!"
I don't have a triathlete's body. According to one doctor, given my age and size I have no business running. But, I have never let anybody tell me what I can't do. I might not be the fastest, or the thinnest but, I've got the heart to keep going.
When I woke this morning, feeling aching after completing a 2hour 24 minute 9.3mile run, I realized I've come too far on my journey to turn around. When I first learned how to swim as an adult, I was in an Olympic sized pool that was 15feet deep. The .only way to get to the other side was to keep kicking, quitting was not an option. If you took the time to read this, realize whatever your dreams are keep going because you've come too far to turn around. Enjoy this song on as you reach your destination.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ioxg_gK0Ac4
Peace & Blessings On Your Journey
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