Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Long Run

I've experienced a very long month. My mother passed away. I bought a house and moved into it. I had a large software release at work... and just today completed a three-day marksmanship competition with the National Guard.

The emotional toll was a bit greater than I expected on all fronts, and the impact on my normal training schedule was significant. It seems that for a few weeks, life simply became a long, long run and it was all I could do to complete it. I've never been impacted like this before. In the past, I've always "fit in" the running, and stayed pretty close to my actual training plan. Not this time.

At this point, I'm playing catch-up, and I'm not sure how well the Squaw Peak 50 miler is going to go... Yep, I've committed to run the Squaw Peak with the National Guard team on the 5th of June. I received a call from a member of the team who asked of I could participate, and I agreed. I agreed because I want to run this in memory of both my parents who have passed. My Dad was a decorated pilot and a founding Cadre member of the Utah Air National Guard. My mother was a military spouse who raised me to feel the call to serve in the military and supported my athletic endeavors.

When I run the Squaw Peak, I'll do so as a member of the National Guard and also as a son who is dedicating the effort to two parents who raised him to honor his country. There could not have been better parents to me.

Thanks Mom and Dad.


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