Thankful-a-Day

Today, I’ll go with running as something for which I’m grateful. Long ago, I had a few unsuccessful attempts to get started running; but it never took hold until I started copying my wife, Amy, her sister, Runner Susan, and my legal assistant at the time. They were all running and gave me some idea that: a) it could be done; and b) how it was done.

My two basic mistakes at first were running too fast and not hanging in there. Getting conditioned for your first mile or two is a lot harder than the rest of the miles. Getting tired after 1/2 mile is just a lot more disheartening than getting tired after, say, 5 miles. Another thing that helped me hang in there and finally get going with running was the very tangible benefit of getting out of a house with very young children. I think Harper was recently born and Cole was maybe 2.5 years. It’s easier to stick your spouse with the kids for an hour if you’re going running than if your plan is to simply sit on the couch.

I’ve never done a marathon, but I have run a few half-marathons. Aside from the health benefits, it’s one of those things that illustrates in a concrete way what you can do when you’re persistent. And, it’s a time to think; a time to listen to some music; and a time to see your neighborhood a lot closer than you would in a car. The races are a lot of fun too; they are parties of sorts, with a lot of camaraderie.