Wheeler Farm Loops

This post made me think of you - http://www.logicoflongdistance.com/2010/05/passion-and-discipline.html

"But when the passionate runner finds his energies, when he can make it through the grind without losing his vitality, when he steps to the line shimmering with intensity: flight..."

I am thinking about what 2014 will bring and I was looking on your blog for some book ideas.

Pretty quickly, I came upon your 2011 experience at Philly. I was unaware of it before, but it is clear to me now what an important event that was in your running history (Andrea too!).

You had your heart and soul invested in the race and you had your heart broken a bit. You clearly still have that inner fire but it doesn't seem to be on outward display like it was then. Perhaps then you were the brash rookie and now you're the steely vet.

I really want this to happen for you. Even though you aren't displaying the OTQ or bust mentality, there is no reason why this can't be the race. You have the fitness and the experience and you just need the right race. Best of luck!

Me when you were running Philly. http://tinyurl.com/c3hww73

Thank you Josh. I could go on for pages about what I learned from buildup towards and race at Philadelphia. Perhaps its better saved for a long run conversation topic.

It was definitely a transformative time period. A year before I was looking at running as a way to get in better shape for skiing. Then all of a sudden Andrea and I realized we were pretty good and knocking on the trials door. That fall was really something special and I have nothing but positive memories. Its fun to look back at our blogs from those months.

The race itself was a letdown (I still can't read Andrea's race report without getting tears in my eyes... as much as I wanted it for myself, I wanted it 10X more for her), but some valuable lessons were learned about how to approach/race marathons. I didn't necessarily let it sink in enough before Boston the following spring, but I think I have now.

If it were Fall 2015 right now, I'd be out the gate at 5:15 pace and not holding back for a second. But the window will be open for two years. This marathon is more about finally running a marathon I can be proud of and not chasing a specific time. I believe 2:18 is within the realm of what I'm capable of, but like I said on the run Saturday, there's no glory for me in running 1:45 for 20 miles. The final time is the only time I care about.

That outward passion displayed back then still burns. I keep it a little more private now. Bottled up until I finally break through at this distance.

You lived at the fatHorsepark back then? :-)

Thanks for posting that link Jake - really some good pieces in some of those archives. "I am a runner" for example. Good Stuff.