Thanks for this reminder! I've often compared life to hiking (or running or both) a mountain trail: with ups and downs, valleys and climbs, gorgeous overlooks that invite rest and reflection and loose gravel that threaten a crash and fall. Trails are funny things. I might have a particular mountain peak I'm aiming for, but there are many ways to get there. And I might end up on a different peak entirely. I have to maintain a balance between watching my feet, looking ahead and enjoying the view. And it's always better with a friend. But going solo works too.
I'm glad and thankful you have recovered from Covid! You already know this, but take it easy, take it slow. It's okay to stop and rest awhile before continuing on!
Terrell, I don't read all of your emails but this is one I needed to read. It's a message of redemption for one's self that motivates me through my own injury and setback at the moment. Thank you
Thank you so much, Alex! I'm really glad it resonated with you. To be honest, I've been dealing with a setback myself lately, so I write these things as a way of talking to myself too. Great to hear from you! 👍
From one of your e-mails I signed up for the Sammamish half marathon next month. I was cautiously optimistic that it would actually happen. It looks like it’s a go, with the proper safety measures in place. I had been training for the race, probably over training, and now have Achilles tendinitis and have not been able to run more than 3 miles a time. This week I have come to the realization that I need to shut it down in order to heal. With that also comes the realization that I will most likely be postponing my half marathon. So disappointed. It has been nearly a year since I have run in an organized event and so want to get back into group runs. Motivation has been hard this winter living in the Pacific Northwest. Hurry up Spring time! Set backs are a part of the deal, doesn’t make it any easier.
Thanks so much, Ken! I'm so bummed to hear about postponing the race, but it sounds like you're doing the smart thing. No need to risk getting hurt and having to sit out another 6 months or a year. There will be plenty more races to choose from as we move into the summer and fall, I think.
So sad to hear you are injured, Ken. I'm signed up for Lake Sammamish Half as well on March 6th. The response was great, and I'm #40 on the wait list. Evergreen Trails and Orca are trying to get more spaces open for runners, but that depends on the government. Mine is a 2 for one effort. I'd be able to do an in-person event and run a virtual at the same time!
Yes, motivation has been hard up here in the PacNW with so much rain and grey weather. I'm on my way out for an LSD today in case we run into snow for the rest of the week. Take care of yourself. Orca and Evergreen have a whole lot more in-person scheduled for the rest of the year!!
Nilima; Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. It is nice to hear that I am not the only one running in the PNW and dealing with our weather (as the snow begins to fall outside). I hope you get in for the Sammamish Half, it looks like it is a beautiful course running along side the lake. Got my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks, Ken, for the good wishes. Keeping my fingers crossed, too. Place Forty does not seem too good, but maybe the snow will discourage some runners!
I've run most of the races on the Eastside, so it is nice to see a new one going South instead of North! Another event planner had the Lake Sammamish Half in 2019, but I had conflicts and couldn't make it. (The Trail wasn't completed yet, either.) I guess they merged their races with Orca/Evergreen.
I ran in the first snowflakes of the year today along the Sammamish River Trail and the Puget Powerline Trail. Just 5K for a warm-up.
For some reason, the weather doesn't bother me near as much this year. Sure, it's grey and cloudy and wet, but it's great to live here. I think I enjoy the PNW people as much as the environment. It kinda grows on you after 11 years. :)
I think of my athletic endeavors like the stock market: ups and downs, but hopefully the trend is generally upward. Fits perfectly with your column, Terrell. So glad you are feeling better too!
I can relate to the getting back syndrome. I was at the top of my game this fall, running 10.5 minute miles. And now, my average is like 12 or 13 minutes. The weather isn't helping..but I still feel disappointment in my current level. Hopefully the spring will give me new energy.
As for you, Terrell, I'm so glad you're recovering from the evil Covid. I have several friends who didn't make it and have passed away.
Apparently we have many seasons of wins and losses.
I love that way of looking at it Gara -- that's so right, our lives do go through seasons. What works in one won't necessarily work in another, and vice versa. But they change and shift and evolve.
I'm so, so sorry to hear about your friends who passed from Covid. I know you've seen it up close in a way most of us never will -- my heart goes out to you.
Needed to see this today! I caught COVID in November and am still struggling to get back to where I was. Crazy heart rate, big time fatigue - just really combining to get me down. But you're right. I'm on the mountain side headed up. I just have to be willing to accept that this particular climb may be longer and harder than the others. Thanks for the post!
My heart goes out to you, Gretchen! This thing is so confounding. I hope you work on resting and feeling better -- running will be there waiting for you when you're ready to come back. I'll be rooting for you 👊
Thanks for this reminder! I've often compared life to hiking (or running or both) a mountain trail: with ups and downs, valleys and climbs, gorgeous overlooks that invite rest and reflection and loose gravel that threaten a crash and fall. Trails are funny things. I might have a particular mountain peak I'm aiming for, but there are many ways to get there. And I might end up on a different peak entirely. I have to maintain a balance between watching my feet, looking ahead and enjoying the view. And it's always better with a friend. But going solo works too.
I'm glad and thankful you have recovered from Covid! You already know this, but take it easy, take it slow. It's okay to stop and rest awhile before continuing on!
Thank you, Colleen! You said it beautifully right there -- I love the analogy to mountain trails 😃 Hope you are doing well, my friend!
Terrell, I don't read all of your emails but this is one I needed to read. It's a message of redemption for one's self that motivates me through my own injury and setback at the moment. Thank you
Thank you so much, Alex! I'm really glad it resonated with you. To be honest, I've been dealing with a setback myself lately, so I write these things as a way of talking to myself too. Great to hear from you! 👍
From one of your e-mails I signed up for the Sammamish half marathon next month. I was cautiously optimistic that it would actually happen. It looks like it’s a go, with the proper safety measures in place. I had been training for the race, probably over training, and now have Achilles tendinitis and have not been able to run more than 3 miles a time. This week I have come to the realization that I need to shut it down in order to heal. With that also comes the realization that I will most likely be postponing my half marathon. So disappointed. It has been nearly a year since I have run in an organized event and so want to get back into group runs. Motivation has been hard this winter living in the Pacific Northwest. Hurry up Spring time! Set backs are a part of the deal, doesn’t make it any easier.
PS: Very glad to hear Covid has passed for you!
Thanks so much, Ken! I'm so bummed to hear about postponing the race, but it sounds like you're doing the smart thing. No need to risk getting hurt and having to sit out another 6 months or a year. There will be plenty more races to choose from as we move into the summer and fall, I think.
So sad to hear you are injured, Ken. I'm signed up for Lake Sammamish Half as well on March 6th. The response was great, and I'm #40 on the wait list. Evergreen Trails and Orca are trying to get more spaces open for runners, but that depends on the government. Mine is a 2 for one effort. I'd be able to do an in-person event and run a virtual at the same time!
Yes, motivation has been hard up here in the PacNW with so much rain and grey weather. I'm on my way out for an LSD today in case we run into snow for the rest of the week. Take care of yourself. Orca and Evergreen have a whole lot more in-person scheduled for the rest of the year!!
Nilima; Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. It is nice to hear that I am not the only one running in the PNW and dealing with our weather (as the snow begins to fall outside). I hope you get in for the Sammamish Half, it looks like it is a beautiful course running along side the lake. Got my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks, Ken, for the good wishes. Keeping my fingers crossed, too. Place Forty does not seem too good, but maybe the snow will discourage some runners!
I've run most of the races on the Eastside, so it is nice to see a new one going South instead of North! Another event planner had the Lake Sammamish Half in 2019, but I had conflicts and couldn't make it. (The Trail wasn't completed yet, either.) I guess they merged their races with Orca/Evergreen.
I ran in the first snowflakes of the year today along the Sammamish River Trail and the Puget Powerline Trail. Just 5K for a warm-up.
For some reason, the weather doesn't bother me near as much this year. Sure, it's grey and cloudy and wet, but it's great to live here. I think I enjoy the PNW people as much as the environment. It kinda grows on you after 11 years. :)
I think of my athletic endeavors like the stock market: ups and downs, but hopefully the trend is generally upward. Fits perfectly with your column, Terrell. So glad you are feeling better too!
Love this movie!
I can relate to the getting back syndrome. I was at the top of my game this fall, running 10.5 minute miles. And now, my average is like 12 or 13 minutes. The weather isn't helping..but I still feel disappointment in my current level. Hopefully the spring will give me new energy.
As for you, Terrell, I'm so glad you're recovering from the evil Covid. I have several friends who didn't make it and have passed away.
Apparently we have many seasons of wins and losses.
I love that way of looking at it Gara -- that's so right, our lives do go through seasons. What works in one won't necessarily work in another, and vice versa. But they change and shift and evolve.
I'm so, so sorry to hear about your friends who passed from Covid. I know you've seen it up close in a way most of us never will -- my heart goes out to you.
Needed to see this today! I caught COVID in November and am still struggling to get back to where I was. Crazy heart rate, big time fatigue - just really combining to get me down. But you're right. I'm on the mountain side headed up. I just have to be willing to accept that this particular climb may be longer and harder than the others. Thanks for the post!
My heart goes out to you, Gretchen! This thing is so confounding. I hope you work on resting and feeling better -- running will be there waiting for you when you're ready to come back. I'll be rooting for you 👊
Thanks for this! It’s a honest reminder about life (& running) having ups & downs. We forget that sometimes.
I forget it all the time! (You'd think I'd know better by now, right?) I need the reminders too 😃