Ten years ago I was 300+ pounds. I was an active fat guy , but I was tired of being fat. I was a family man, with a wonderful wife and a two year old daughter. I was tired of struggling with weight, tired of the yo-yo weight loss ... weight gain.
Ten years later, I still struggle with weight, but now the range is not 200-300+ pounds, but 195-235. Running always brings me ... sooner or later.
It has been a wonderful road of self discovery, new friends, new experiences and exploring many places. There have been sacrifices I wish I had not made ~ I have lost contact with many friends, I have given up or limited many activities that I enjoy. It is hard to find the energy for other things that I love to do.
Ten years and 47,120 miles later I am at a turning point in my life. After running > 6,000 miles in 2012, I decided to run a lot less in 2013. To run another 10 years, I will need to find more balance. My wife never complains and encourages everything I do, but she deserves more time. My daughters are now 12 and 8 and there activities are ever increasing. I need to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I need to have the joys of other sports.
I also need to figure out how to train while running 2/3 the mileage I have become accustom to run. I need to figure out how to eat for 80 mile weeks instead of 120 mile weeks. How do you effectively use a scalpel when all you know how to use is a sledgehammer?
It is time to re-balance the spiritual, mental, physical and social in this big experiment called life.
Good running to all!
Congrats from the guy who's never had a 6000 mile year, but has 85000 miles lifetime.
ReplyDeleteYou are a smart guy Mike. No doubt you will figure it out. Less is more they say. I think it has taken me 3 years to get to 6,000 :).
ReplyDeleteYou have a great family. Running will always be one part of your life, but they will be everything to you.
See you on the trail.
PS: Ran another 50 Miler in Ohio on Saturday. 8:15:30 / 3rd Over All. Now to recovery.