Some rest and reflection

Following last week’s 23 miler, I packed a suitcase full of shorts, tank tops and swim suits and boarded a plane at 6:00am Sunday morning that would lead me to the Caribbean for a sunny, 6-day vacation. The trip was everything I hoped it would be – warm, sunny and relaxing. I woke up each morning without an alarm. I read books. I snorkeled. I took mid-afternoon naps.

And I ran.

Each morning, I made my way to the fitness center before logging my beach time. I would like to say I enjoyed the sun while I ran, but the low temps never made it much below 75, and so upon an 8:00am wake up, with temps already approaching 80 most mornings, I opted for the barely air-conditioned, windowless fitness center to get in my workout. I think I ran faster just so I could get out of there sooner.

As much as I would have preferred a few extra hours in the sun (or heck, under an umbrella would have been nice too), I am glad I stuck to my training schedule while I was away. After arriving back in Boston at 9:35 last night, I woke up this morning and ran did my long run with the RFTM team. Despite a challenging last 4 miles, uphill and into a headwind, the 16 mile run went a lot better than I had hoped. And that’s always a good thing.

Following my run, I learned about a challenging time a friend is having with her loved one who has Alzheimer’s. The conversation got me thinking about why I am running this race in 2 weeks. I had hip surgery 49 weeks ago. I could have waited a little longer to give a marathon a try. I could have attempted a flatter course if my goal is to really run a qualifying time for a future Boston Marathon. I could have saved myself the stress of fundraising and just run the race like most marathon registrants do.

But I want to run THIS race. I want to be a part of the team that made this race so special to me. I want to honor my grandparents, my uncle’s mother and all the loved ones of friends I have learned about over the last 5 years who have suffered and dealt with Alzheimer’s disease. I want to raise awareness that there are resources out there to help, if you are unfortunate enough to have to deal with it. Even if that resource is a running buddy with understanding and compassion.

All my running goals still stand. Maybe I even want them a little more now. And I am glad I was reminded of why I will really be out there in 15 days.