Take Advantage of the Day

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Yesterday I logged my 2000th mile running this year. As the crow flies, that's about the distance from my home in Michigan to San Francisco California. That is the equivalent of 5.5 miles a day since January 1. 

I knew all I needed to do was to run 6.6 miles yesterday to reach the goal. I thought about running 5.6 and leaving the last mile for Wednesday and making it ceremonious with a run around the block with the kids, but with the snow forecasted, I thought it best to just hit the mark and not play games. 

After all, if there is one big lesson I learned this year from all these miles, it is to take advantage of the moment at hand. I learned you never know what it's going to be like the next day. I learned it the hard way through that crash and then the random straining of my muscles on a seemingly benign trip to the tennis courts with the kids. There will be excuses not to run or do any number of things. It's important to call an excuse and excuse, and even if valid, know when it is worth battle through it. Which, in my experience, is most of the time.

You never know what tomorrow is going to bring. This isn't meant to be some kind of foreboding kind of statement, but a call to action and live the day to the fullest.  Take advantage of the day. 

There are all kinds of stressors in life. Predictable events that can create an undercurrent of tension and unexpected occurrences. Over the past 2000 miles, I've found something I can pour myself into that has, if we're honest, relatively low stakes, but creates a unique sense of accomplishment. 

I'm grateful for the health to run as much as I do, my family and friends who help cheer me on, and the time and space to rack up the experience that comes with all this time on my feet. 

What's next?

Well, I have a 27 day running streak going right now...I sort of wonder how long that can last. Maybe until I have an overnight sailing trip?

Time will tell.

Onward.
















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