Every Race is an Adventure!

Lindon loop with Kent, easy pace.

2000 N hill route with Larry, Wayne and Kevin. I pushed the last mile a little because I was running late; the rest of the run was a social run. I've been feeling lately like I've been doing more social running and less focused training. I still like pushing up a long hill or running a fast mile or two now and then, but right now, especially in the dark and cold, I'm content with just getting some miles in and spending time with my buddies. The social aspects of running contribute every bit as much, if not more, to my happiness as running fast.

Kent and I ran the water tank hills this morning. We thought Larry and Kevin were coming out, but I guess not. It was only 19°, but that was 3° warmer than yesterday. Kent and I enjoyed our run up the hills, or at least having the run done. We didn't set any speed records, but got in a good workout.

I've learned a little about work as my life has gone on. Like most kids, and many adults, I used to hate and dread hard work. I still do at times. Why would anyone ever want to do anything that took hard physical or mental effort if it could be avoided? Wouldn't the ideal be to spend every moment doing things that look, sound, feel, smell or taste good?

My running buddies and I often say we like to run because it feels so good when we stop. While it does feel very good to stop, it isn't the being stopped that feels so good as the satisfaction of having attempted something difficult and accomplished it. And the bonus is that afterwards we enjoy the pleasurable times even more...things seem to look, sound, feel, smell and taste better.

I believe this principle applies not only to running, but to any type of meaningful work. Since I've discovered the blessing of work, it's made work easier. Sometimes the hardest part of work is just getting started, and then having a bad attitude about it makes the work even harder. Viewing work as a blessing makes it easier to jump in and get started. Also, I've found that, beyond it feeling good to stop working, with a good attitude I can actually enjoy the work while I'm doing it.

I still enjoy putting up my feet, eating pie, and watching a good movie or sporting event, but I've also learned to enjoy doing the laundry, taking out the trash, and making my legs burn pushing up a long hard hill. I'm grateful to have the ability to do all these things and so many more. Life is a wonderful adventure.

I trotted with some turkeys this morning...no wait...that's not true. We may have trotted like turkeys, but Larry, Kevin and Nick are definitely not turkeys. We just trotted along and conversed at an easy pace.We ran the Cascade route. Kevin and I ran the extended loop down to Wil's. We managed 7:45 for that mile, but only averaged 9:40/mi overall.

Near the end of the run our conversation led to how blessed we are...an appropriate topic for today. Nick quoted some studies that put Utah and Utah County at or near the top of the list for quality of life. I made the statement that I can't think of many people whose quality of life is higher than mine, and it has very little to do with money or possessions. Besides the blessings of living where I live are the blessings of the people I get to live with and the true principles of happiness I'm privileged to have learned and am free to choose to live by.

I am of all men most blessed.

Wil's Pit Stop loop with (as I recall a week later) Larry, Wayne and Kent.