It has been almost eight weeks since my marathon, and finally the soreness and little niggles have (mostly) gone away.
No more excuses! Yesterday was the last day of 2012 and I decided to run up Big Bearpen again - "Once More to the Summit!" - and it actually felt good to feel the strength returning to my legs. And what a glorious day to climb Bearpen, with that singular view from the very top, the lakes of South Carolina gleaming along the horizon. It is a summit of fitness, as well; after a marathon, a runner doubts he can ever ascend a mountain like this again, or run that far again, or run fast again. But there I was, standing on the very top, giving thanks for recovery of my fitness.
Today was the first day of 2013 and we began it well with our annual New Year's Resolution Run. Despite light rain, 16 of us showed up to begin the new year committed once again to running.
It's a clean slate! Martha posted this on our little blackboard in the kitchen, where we take turns writing inspirational messages throughout the year.
"The
future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow;
be careful how you tread
it, for every step will show."
It reminded me of that famous last Calvin & Hobbes cartoon:
And so I wrote, for this New Year:
"Let's Go Exploring!"
