I can not believe that it has been about four weeks since I last had an entry. A lot had happened in that time span. I won't bore you with all the details but there are three incidents that are worthy of mention before I continue to write about my day to day week to week experiences on training.
First, four weeks ago I went on a kayaking trip in Jupiter, Florida down the Loxahatchee River. It was a gruelling trip, where for four hours I evaded submerged logs , tree limbs that were trying to knock me off the kayak, and the illusive presence of alligators and turtle and frogs on the river. It was hard for me to go through a lot of the obstacles and if it were not for the accompaniment of some buddies I would have never made it over some of the downed trees. I got over one obstacle, I became confident and went ahead. Not the right thing to do. As I turned the corner, the current got stronger and pulled me close to a very big limb. In a second I was being knocked off the kayak and into the water. I had my eyes open as I hit the water and saw myself submerge into the river. I started to sink and I could see the kayak going over me. My thought was to kick and go up. I broke the surface. My kayak was going down the river and I was in the river without a paddle. One leg got entangled in some roots and one leg was pulled by the current in front of my body. I kind of had a life jacket on, but since it was not fasten it was doing more damage then helping. I grab onto the limb that knocked me into the river. For a few seconds, I thought how easy it would be to just let go and to end it all there. No more pain, no more battle no more hiding , no more pretending, no more masks that we all tend to wear. But I held on, my buddies after a few more minutes came around the bend and rescued me. We continued on to the nearest stop and got picked up by the park ranger. Thank God I was ok, just my side and ego were bruised. Needles to say I did not train that week.
Second,instance was not a bad one. I got invited to accompany my friend, Barbara, to a wedding in New York. We had a great time at the wedding , and then we went into New York City. The first day we aer walking around, sightseeing and I notice that there is going to be a race the next day. It is the MS Walk in NYC. I inquire and find out that the 10K is a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and back. So of course we did it. What an experience. After we climbed the Statute of Liberty to the crown and up and down numerous staircases to the subway. My knee hurts again. I for got the brace I usually wear on that knee. I come back, Knee hurts, no training for week two.
The third thing that I did was the annual Emmaus retreat at my church, St. Gregory's. What an experience, God really worked through His Holy Spirit touching countless lives. I am tired, need to rest , knee still hurts so take another week off.
That brings me to yesterday. A new season starts for Friends in Training (FIT);my marathon training group. I was excited to get out there and start the training again. We had a great turnout. Started my group with some running and a lot of walking, we kept a 14:50 minute per mile pace. It was a good start. Today, I went out with my training partner and friend, Nancy. We did over 5 miles. I have entered into the path once again. I thank you all the played a part in these last four weeks. I could not be here if it not had been for the parts you all played in.
The pictures at the beginning are of the river that gave me a new outlook of life, the Brooklyn Bridge and the group that I shared the retreat with. Enjoy your life, share your love with another this week. And continue on the path....
