My mentor. My motivation.

Sometimes motivation comes in the form of an inspirational quote, a story we read in a magazine or a movie about Prefontaine. Other times motivation is in the form of another person who believes in you.

Yesterday I ran 7 miles by doing the 3.5 mile loop at Maybury twice. Yes, you read that correctly. I ran 7 miles and it was brutal, but I did it. I did it because I ran with my mentor Ed and he is a running nut. Now, when I say that, I mean it in the fondest way. He's the type of guy who thinks there is such a thing as an easy 7 mile run. When I hear 7 miles, I think brutal, intense, insane. However, he threw out the idea while I was still in my morning stupor and I was too slow to analyze the idea and rebuff him. That just left me the rest of the day to acclimate myself to the idea that I could be a person who, when asked "Hey, want to run 7 miles?", I could respond and say "Well, sure mate, what a swell way to spend (for me) two hours."

Amazingly, there I was at Maybury finishing one 3.5 mile loop and pausing before the next. As Ed said though "Don't stand around too long. You'll talk yourself out of it." Damn! How did he know that's exactly what I was thinking? Then there I was finishing the second loop and, amazingly enough, still standing upright. Who knew?

I know that my pace is much much slower than his. Knowing that, I think it's incredibly great that he took time out of his tough schedule to schlep along with little turtle me. If he had not suggested the 7 mile idea, been willing to meet me, and then bear through my huffing and puffing, there is no way that I would have done that run, nor even considered it might be possible.

Thanks again, Ed. You made the impossible possible. I must say it is very exciting!!