Happy to Serve

Last weekend, a dear friend drove four hours to run a half marathon with me.

We decided that it was in both of our interests to volunteer instead of run the race.

After twenty years of running, I finally gave back.

What took me so long?

Exhorting almost 1000 runners to do their best on the last mile of 13 was too much fun.  I needed tea, my throat was sore, and we actually felt like we'd run a race afterwards.

Three hours of yelling! WOW.  Deserved every bit of that lunch.

Have you registered for a race and just didn't think it was wise to follow through?  Don't hesitate to stop in to the volunteer booth.  They always need help.  We were put in at the last minute, as sentries at two crucial points, because others didn't come.  Ack!  We were needed!!  So cool.

My friend serves for a living, as head of Alabama Rural Ministry, but being based four hours away we rarely get to serve together.  This enabled us 3 hours of slightly interrupted conversation - and awesome quality time.  Plus, we got to razz the police stationed nearby.  Always a good day.

Try volunteering for that race.  You'll be glad you did!  Nice tan, too...

Status Update

Eh, not so good on the homefront nowadays.

If you look at my fitness activity, anyway.

My brain activity on the other hand: watch out!

Looking back on the week, I think I would classify my behavior more muffin than stealth.

I'm a little down: my daughter has an injury that precludes her running a little kids' race this weekend, and that is affecting me something fierce.  More importantly, it precludes her from walking very well.  That is heart-breaking.

My daughter is the one the Disney escort for Tigger asked to calm down around Tigger!  To not jump, to not run, to sit down, put her feet up - it's anti-life to this girl.

Days Gone By?  Or New Days Ahead?

I remember being like that.  I think I want that spirit again in myself.  Seeing it in her has always been a great boon to my own, but now that she can't be that way until she's healed up, I gotta come up with it myself.

I have so much good going on in my brain I have been content sitting this week.  The sitting part is not good.  It's too easy to get out of a routine.  But I have a different kind of fire under my tush and it is taking a lot to extinguish it.

It's like a mud run going on up there in my head - or warrior dash, one of those: fierce, sweaty, and fun.  My brain hasn't been this active in a long time, and I feel like I should let it go crazy and do what it's going to do.

Meanwhile... the muffin stealthily creeps...