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
. With your previous post about the number 4...are there going to be 4 parts to this?
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