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July 14, 2008

A Whole Lotta Nothin'

I fear that this entry may put you to sleep before you reach the conclusion of this initial sentence, but my friend, Annie inspired me to write something. We caught each other on Google Chat this afternoon (what a neat tool!) and she motivated me to write with the remark, "you've only posted once in July!?" That was enough to swipe the match and light a little writing fire . . . my goddesses know that writing always courses through my fingers like soothing waves of magic; writing is how I self medicate.

And because I have so little to comment on regarding my own training, I think I will embarrass Annie (sorry Annie!). She is probably the most humble local runner that I know, but she is also the fastest woman in Chicago right now (and maybe even the Midwest - she can totally mix it up with the Hansons!). She clicks off 1:18 half marathons, 35 minute 10Ks, and 56 minute 15Ks like a pro (which makes sense since she is practically a professional runner!). But what makes Annie so amazing is that she is the mother of 2 gorgeous Lilliputs (as she so aptly puts it), Cooper and Will. AND she is a poet and an artist. AND she is totally smart, modest, calm, cool, collected . . . I believe I used those precise words to describe her the first time that we met in March . . . at the Shamrock Shuffle . . . where she destroyed the field. Very. Cool. Indeed. AND she hasn't even come close to reaching her running potential yet!

As I get older - and I know I am not that old - I treasure my friendships more, and I find myself constantly wondering about the inner hum and manufacturing of one's soul. I guess you could say that I have also found myself in a recent state of nostalgia. I know that literary critics and several other schools of thought eschew nostalgia and it's potential evil twin: sentimentalism, but I am - at heart - both nostalgic and sentimental. I am empathetic; I am dream about the good ol days of childhood. I treasure the wisdom of my elders.

Although I do not allow these traits to paralyze me in the past, I do think it's healthy to revisit the past, dig through what we buried there long ago, and even bring out some stuff for a little microscopic inspection.

Why am I writing this? I visited my mom on Saturday and I found 6 boxes of stuff still in my closet (it's been almost 10 years since I lived at home!). One box was full of letters from a time in my life when I was struggling . . . to read those letters and the words of encouragement couched inside of them . . . left me extremely grateful for the gift that life can be. Some of the stuff I found comical, like several emails that I exchanged with my Harvard educated, triple degreed cousin, regarding modernism and postmodernism. I was only 18 at the time, but I made quite a case for modernism's persistence in our current cultural climate; I suppose I didn't realize how philosophical I was at that stage in my youth. I also found 4 books on Nietzsche and several papers on "logotheraphy."

Now, out of the sandbox of my past, I am left to ponder one of my favorite quotes (Bill Bowerman speaks these wise words in the movie Without Limits):

If you can find meaning in the kind of running you need to do to stay on this team then chances are you can find meaning in another absurd past-time- life.

I think my favorite phrase in that quote is the one that refers to life an "absurd past-time."

I'll delve into my cross-training boot camp soon!

Posted by bridget at July 14, 2008 5:36 PM

Comments

Yeah, there's something about the late 20's early 30's when it just starts to feel good to make peace with everything that ever happened, to mine the past for present and future meaning, and to learn to treasure the present as much as possible. I was so type-A and stressed out through most of my 20's I think I just got fed up one day and decided to let go and make my life into one I loved living. Who cares about what we're "supposed" to do, social games, or looking stupid. I'll do what makes me happy thank you very much! Of course it's not always easy. But hey, that's life!

Thanks for sharing a bit of introspection! And I'm glad you seem to be happier now after the brief bout of post-marathon blues. And by the way, even if you decide on not running Chicago we're meeting up when I'm in town in October :) (Oops. I guess I'm still a little type-A miss bossy-pants!)

Posted by: Salty at July 15, 2008 7:39 PM

Great post - love the Bowerman quote. Good stuff. You are very insightful - a true gift.

Hey Type A miss bossy-pants - when are you coming to Chicago? The three of us should all meet up - that would be so great! It is only a 2-2.5 hr drive for me. Hopefully it is not the weekend I am in C-Bus.

Posted by: mindi at July 18, 2008 8:17 PM

Well I am embarassed, and humbled (which I guess is something I don't need more of... depending on who you talk too) and absolutely empathetic with the last half of this post! It was insightful, and artistfully constructed. I'm seriously beginning to question my individuality after reading so many of your posts! ;)

Posted by: Annie at July 21, 2008 12:04 PM

my grandpa answered your question!
http://theweightinggame.ivillage.com/dietfitness/2008/07/the_story_of_how_my_grandpa_in.html#comments

xoxo

Posted by: Leslie at July 22, 2008 7:51 PM

Hi,

I'm working with Takkle.com, a social networking site for sports. Members can post photos, videos, share stats and schedules, and a whole lot more with others throughout the community. Takkle is a place where students, athletes, coaches, and fans can share their passion for sports.

I feel that your site is very useful. I would love to know if you could link to our social networking resource.

Thanks,
Sandi

Posted by: Sandi at July 29, 2008 2:06 PM

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