Running.... thinking.... running... one foot after another.... thinking... jump over the snow bank.... thinking....

It was a pleasant run.

One foot after another..... concentrate on my breathing..... over the snow bank.... this is nice.... one foot after another....

I was feeling good. I felt comfortable and was getting into a rhythm.  I was concentrating on breathing.... inhale on three steps.... exhale on three steps... inhale on three steps... exhale on three steps.  It was very hypnotic and I was enjoying the run. This is actually pretty typical for me to enjoy that first run back in 'un-oval' mode as it usually takes a few times out before I'm reminded how much I don't like running. 

As I'm heading down the road... concentrating on my breathing.... my mind started to play... well started to play mind games.  I was being convinced.... by me.... that this wasn't bad.  My mind started telling me that all I really need is motivation to keep running.... to continue my efforts at getting back into shape.  My mind was sure that I do like to run.... with the proper motivation.

Thinking.... what if I could get someone to pay me to run.... that would be great!  Maybe I could get them to pay me for each mile I run.  That would certainly keep my motivation up.  I could run myself rich and get into shape.

Thinking.... one foot after another.... look out for the ice patch.... breathe.... breathe.... thinking....

I could make a ton of money if they'd pay me!  But who would pay me to run.  No one.... of course.  It's a funny thought though.....

Thinking.... jump over the snow.... thinking..... running.... this is kinda fun..... I don't know why I don't like running.... breathe.... breathe...

I was also thinking of our building.  We have such a great family oriented community and it's really too bad that our building is in such disrepair.  I wish there were more I could do to help them with this problem.  How are we going to raise the money we need?  There has got to be some kind of fund-raiser that could bring in more than the typical $1,000.  That's just not going to get us there.

Thinking.... running... breathing.... unshoveled sidewalk... onto the street... running.... breathing....

Hey... what if they paid the synagogue for each mile I ran.  Since I like running I could probably raise alot of money.  Just think, I told myself, if I found ten people to pay me $1 for each mile I ran..... hmmmm..... I'd have to run alot of miles.....

Breathing..... one foot after the other..... back onto the sidewalk..... breathing..... thinking.....

A race... that's what I need.  Maybe I could sponsor a race and run ten miles around town.  If I found 20 people to sponsor me $1 for each mile I ran.... hmmmm.... that's only $200.  That wouldn't do it.  I'd have to make the race longer, like a marathon; 26 miles!  If I had $20 per mile in a marathon... that would be.... $520.  Still not enough.

Look out for the other jogger.... breathing.... breathing.... one foot after the other.... thinking....

This is where my mind took over again.  I stopped seeing the road.  I stopped seeing snow banks.  I stopped any rational thought.  I started seeing dollar signs.... $200 per mile .... $500 per mile... $1000 per mile... If I could get $1000 per mile, I could raise $26,000!  That's what I'll do!  I'll run the Boston Marathon and get friends, familly and membership to sponsor me $1,000 per mile that I actually complete!

My mind .... well.... it had a mind of its own.  I felt good on my three miles.  How much further could 26 miles be.  Really, it shouldn't be that bad.  I wouldn't have to finish in any type of record time.  I could walk if I wanted.  I could handle that!  What a great idea!

Little did I know that in three months.... it would all end in pain and tears.

Boy..... I can't wait to get home to tell my wife!

Stay tuned for What Was I Thinking (Part three): The Point of No Return

See What Was I Thinking (Part one): In the Beginning