There is, I suppose a time to brag and a time
to refrain from bragging. I think the completion of my first marathon qualifies for bragging, but just in case, I am drawn to the sage advice of the
Preacher in Ecclesiastes who considers that there is a time for all things under
heaven (3:1).
Three verses in particular seem fitting. In no particular order:
By Ecclesiastes
3:22, there is nothing better for
a person than to enjoy their work, for that is their lot in life. Amen! so then...
By verse
13, we are also called to find satisfaction in all our toil, for that is our gift
from God.
And by verse 4 we are told that there is indeed a time to laugh and a time to dance, and I'm inclined not to dance and laugh alone.
This, the journey as much as the run. was work, and it was ultimately satisfying. And I think, even
before the soreness goes away, it is worth the laugh and dance. Or, in this case, the 26.2 oval on my car!
Thank you all
for indulging me in my nervousness and my eagerness over the last six months, and
for encouraging me along the way at various finish lines during my growing obsession. I wasn't in the neighborhood for most of you today, but Paul and Nina and Mom, it was great to see you there today. Dick, it was just as fun to see you
before and after the race. You have encouraged me as much as anyone, and now we look forward to seeing you at the farm on
Thanksgiving: an even better time and purpose to laugh and dance!
Not to brag, but to invite, my next big race is on June 18th in Duluth,
the Grandma's Marathon. It will be a good
opportunity to go visit Greg and Lola, if anyone wants to make the drive with me. And another invite of a smaller sort, if anyone is up for it: join me in Lake Forest on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the COOL 5K/10K Run. This will be my fourth year at this event! COOL is Christian Outreach of Lutherans, which provides a local food pantry and temporary housing for homeless moms with children.
Anyway, my time was 4:20 today. Not as good as I had once hoped, but I am
happy. And there is room for improvement, as long as my legs hold out.
God is good, for giving us time for all things!
- Jon
Excellent, Jon! and ecclesiastical! I like the aesthetics of 42 km in 4:20--you aimed for that, I assume! Seeing Dick before and after is truer aesthetics.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as was the case last year when I read out your "13 miles" and my "Reasons to Run", I hope to extend poetry to my cross-country runners this week as they compete in Kiev. I've drafted the following this afternoon, for your revision advice:
The pronghorn antelope runs fastest, farthest,
unafraid and fashioned like a peregrine
falcon flying footloose on and o’er the earth;
the prairie is its Ithaca—reigning in
all sorts of obstacles, the pronghorn prances
proud and free, surveying almost 360
and taking stock of fellow friends and foes alike.
The race affirms inherent integrity,
a race you’ll run today: as pronghorns prepared
to breathe easy, calm in besting any worst,
you have worked the courses that convene anew
and faithfully know what it takes to be first.
Places that follow must face their own training;
pronghorns delight in the races remaining.