The little things
So, these last couple weeks have been rough. Firstly, self-inflicted through getting tattooed…. given, my own damn fault. However, through that process, I managed to develop and infection (kinda unrelated but linked to a sickness I have had in the past) and it has SUCKED! When this has happened previously, and this time round also, it has really hit me mentally and emotionally. I have not been myself since returning from Melbourne and only begin to feel ‘normal’ about three to four days ago. All that being said, not much training has been done and I am, lets say, ‘well rested’ for Hares and Hounds this Sunday.
Some (insert Ricky Taylor) may say this is a good thing. I have freshness, I’m ready to roll and throw down with vigour, given my now sprightly legs. I on the other hand am completely not overjoyed about it and, apart from my training this week, a little, ok a LOT underdone for a 50k. However, I am ready to get into an event again, will rely on my base from last year and be super grateful I can even attend one again.
Racing is such a trivial thing in the big scope of the world but I tell you what, when it is taken away it really does suck. Training for, preparing and having something to work toward is what makes many runners tick, myself included. As much as I love running and the daily practice, I think if I had to run every day with nothing to strive toward it would be far more difficult. The excitement aligned with pinning on a number, travelling to a race, meeting up with old friends and making new ones, paying a substantial amount of money to suffer and then, after a lot of hard work, cross the finish line, is something I will not be taking for granted given the current state of play.
I am super thankful to be living in Australia, for race organisers and the simple fact that we can cruise around pretty much as we please and do dumb stuff like run ultramarathones. Pretty golden if you ask me. I know there a countless numbers of people world wide that would give their right leg to have the freedoms that we do. So, no matter what you think or don't think of COVID, if your in Australia, lets be grateful for today and what we CAN do!
With that said, I am keen as a bean to get to Woodford. I am excited to hang with some buddies before the race, have a solid vegan feed, sleep in my van, only to wake up at 2am to trot around for 50k in the Queensland sun. I look forward to the swim in the pool after, the war stories, and the relationships built through hardship that may last a lifetime. Today, I am grateful that I can run. That I can go to a race and live my passion….even if it is on limited training. We never know when all of it may be taken away. For this, I am stoked.
Much love friends…..be grateful for the small things, I know I am!