Monday

I read something this morning while getting ready to run - an article at the Little Rock Marathon where a 26year old runner died after crossing the finish line. The cause of death is unknown - could be heart problems (alot of endurance athletes suffer from Arhythmia - and dont even know it!), dehydration, other impairments. Majority, if not all distance runners have to deal with aches and pains that come with pushing your body through grueling training. It is also what makes it so wonderful!

It is scary though. The kid is my age. I am amazed that he could make it to the finish line without collapsing prior. For a few mornings now, with the dreary weather I usually wake up to, I actually thought about dying while running. This was before I read the article. I was running in the middle of nowhere and thought "What if my body or heart just gave out?". I would be screwed. No one knows I am out here. I dont leave a note of my route because its something I decide when I step out. But thats what I like - the SOLITUDE. I would rather be running in solitude before eventually going into eternal solitude, then I could say I went out doing something I love doing. I am in pretty good shape but this news was pretty startling. Of course, one could also die crossing the street or getting into a car - however, they are so commonplace today that they dont have an effect on us, unless we have some connection to the person.

Anyway, I got a massage yesterday after a very very long time and the stocky 180lb guy dug his entire elbow into my hamstrings and lower back. Goodtimes! I slept like a baby for a whole 6 hours! Woke up sore but managed 7.7 miles this am in a pathetically slow time but enjoyed it totally.

Its threatening to rain again :-)