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Marsha's avatar

Great article! It really makes you think. Just about a month ago I completed my first half Ironman. It was a goal that had been postponed due to Covid and ultimately took a total of over two years of training to achieve and now, a month later, I'm struggling to find my, "what's next". I always like to have a goal to work toward, no matter what is going on, it gives me a point of focus. This article made me realize how important those goals are, small or lofty, because it's the journey to reach the goal where life is lived.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you, Marsha! And may I say WOW on your half Ironman. That is amazing!!! Where did you run/swim/bike it?

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Marsha's avatar

I participated in the Florida 70.3 that was hosted in Haines City, Florida. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I'm so glad I did it! It makes life seem a little easier when you've challenged your body to go further than you thought possible, despite the great and humidity! LOL!

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Marsha's avatar

*heat and humidity

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Shani's avatar

Such a great article! And what a moment when you hear "there's not much here". Makes me want to continue to build my "life resume" with all kinds of awesome adventures and meaningful moments. Thanks for sharing Terrell!!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you, Shani!

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Carissa Liebowitz's avatar

Antarctica is my next big crazy thing. I can actually pinpoint the time that I started believing that I could actually do the things that I thought were once out of reach. It's actually not too long after I started writing for you! It's amazing how much believing in yourself and taking chances can impact your entire existence. 💫

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Wow, Carissa! When are you going to Antarctica? And is it to run the marathon there?

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Carissa Liebowitz's avatar

The goal is January 2023 if the stars align. I want to do the double marathon, one in Antarctica and one in Chile. And then if I can swing the time & money, do a few days of hiking in Patagonia. A truly bucket list kind of adventure!

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Mike W!L's avatar

I Love taking advantage of being in new places by going on runs that I've quite often coined "Explorative". When I was travelling for work they were in places like California, Colorado, upstate NY, Texas just to name my favorites. I always wanted the runs to be EPIC and so i would try to map out great routes whether scenic or filled with variety of hills and long stretches. More often than not tho, I would just lace up and go. and those were the runs that would stand out the most for me. There is a level of freedom left untapped when we try to control too much. I Loved the runs where I just took off and really enjoyed being- existing in the moment and letting go everything else. No goals set. just good ole fashioned ground flight. The longer the run the more free i felt. The same came to past when I wanted to go on a Birthday Run while staying in a hotel near USF in Tampa. I ended up running all up and through the Athletic training complex and discovered a whole section of trails that really made my day. Even scooped up a tennis ball in passing and used it to incorporate short bursts of sprints whenever i got bored lmao.

Great Article Terrell!

P.S. I lived in Augusta for 3 years where i met my Wife and mother of my two kids. I also bought my first car in Thompson.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

No way!!!!! What a small world. When did you live in Augusta?

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Mike W!L's avatar

2010-2013 Gordon for training and then i was stationed and eventually deployed from there before PCSing to South Korea.

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Susan Cormier's avatar

Thanks Terrell, I’m at a point (age 79) where I feel I must balance being “on guard and letting go.” And it’s a daily question for me: run/walk 5-7 miles or less? Bike 20-25+ miles or less? Enter the 12+ mile trail run coming up? Sign up for the fall 1/2 marathon? Or maybe gear down a bit.

I realize that my current and future workout practices and health should guide my decisions. But it’s not an easy decision to rein in one’s wish to stay as fit as five years ago or even one year ago.

Be on guard? Let go?

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Gara Doll's avatar

Thank you for posting! I need encouragement for the future endeavors. I'm still running..with a slower pace and some aches a n.v d pains. No plan6to stop, however reading your comment gives me joy and wish to persevere! Thank you!!!

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Maria's avatar

Wow Susan! Amazing!

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jmarty's avatar

Nice article, I often forget about the joy of running and why I enjoy running so much. It is all about the adventure! No matter where we are in the world, we can create that adventure in our own way no matter how big or small... I live in St. Louis, MO and recently moved further out in the area to be able to better take advantage of the gorgous trails in the more remote areas. We are lucky to have so many great trails by us. I love being out in nature and exploring the world! Everyday can be a new "little" adventure if we look for it.

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dwayne beck's avatar

Great story and perfect timing. That reasoning applies to a lot of people in ordinary life as well as the pandemic and touches on a victim mentality a lot of people have.

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Berenice Moran's avatar

Thanks for the positive/upbeat anecdotes :)

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LarryH's avatar

Thanks Terrell. This one reminds me of Walter Mitty (the Ben Stiller version) - at some point you've just got to go!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Yes! Great movie 👍

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Diane's avatar

Thank you, this is great 😊

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

🙏 , Diane!

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Emily Vetter's avatar

This article really spoke to me - and the timing of it is so perfect. My husband and I started dating in 2014 and we spent a lot of time traveling and exploring new places. After having our first child, things slowed down a little. Then I got pregnant with twins at the end of 2018; right around the time of our last big trip. I had a high-risk pregnancy, so didn’t want to go too far from home. t

Once the twins were born, we had 3 children under 3! So, once again, not much traveling. We had planned to go to a few places last year - mainly camping and running halves a few in different states, but COVID cancelled all those. I think I’ve whined and complained about travel deprivation since 2018! Now, we are vaccinated and started planning more camping trips and just today booked a trip to Alaska in September! As of right now, we have 12 different states we will be camping in/traveling to in 2021. I guess we have officially woken up and are ready to keep living!! I can’t wait!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Emily, this is huge! (And talk about 3 children under age 3... wow!) Where in Alaska are you going? I'm jealous!

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Emily Vetter's avatar

Now that the kids are a little bit bigger, things are a little bit easier.

We will be around Anchorage most of the time. But I will be running the Kenai River Half Marathon, so we will spend a night or two down that way. I can’t wait!!

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Maria's avatar

I just came back from a camping trip today. My husband and I love to camp and did so with our kids for years, but, then slowed down a bit after they grew up. We did continue to go on trips where we could hike, but then went back to our hotel. One of our favorite places to do just this is Anza Borrego State Park. The problem was that after going so often, we had seen most of the stuff we could reach with 2WD vehicle. This year, we bought a 4WD truck and started not just camping again, but going to out of the way places where we are the only two people as far as we can see or hear. Last month was in Anza Borrego, this past trip was in the Eastern Sierras. It was a bit scary doing research and trying to figure out where to go, how to get there, what to bring, but it was so worth it! We’re hoping to continue to do these adventures as much as possible.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Wow, Maria!

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Heather Rivera's avatar

This article really spoke to me. Thank you 🙏

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Kara Kennedy's avatar

YES, I love this for the value of pursuing possibilities and sticking to your goal to overcome setbacks along the path to triumph!

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Brian Pillsbury's avatar

Thanks Terrell. I notice I have the most fun when I don't care about the results.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Right there with you!

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Brian Pillsbury's avatar

Easier said than done though I am afraid lol. Good thing life is all about learning.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Oh, you're right about that. MUCH much much easier. There's a world of difference between me typing these words on my laptop and actually living them out. That's the hard part! I hope it doesn't come across as me trying to give advice -- I'm really wrestling with these things too.

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Brian Pillsbury's avatar

Not at all brother. You are doing great. Keep it up. I enjoy all of your newsletters.

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Ruth Beardsley's avatar

I loved this article. Reminds me to start dreaming what to do for my next adventure.

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