Learn from those steps

"You never fail, you simply produce results. Learn from these."

Movements which do not alter respiration are not called exercise." ~Galen, physician to the gladiators

This morning's events were a long time coming. Three years ago this July I started running. It was painful, it is still painful. But this morning I ran 21.1km. There were a few walk breaks in between. A few tears. A lot of pain. I didn't finish in the time I thought I would, but I finished something that three years ago, I didn't think I ever would. Finish my first half marathon.



I'll be honest, I thought I was better prepared, but when I hit the Burrard Street Bridge and started running up that hill, every step I took felt like I was hiking the Grouse Grind.
At the finish line I had family and friends waiting for me. Friends that while I don't get to see all the time, show their quality every time that it's needed. For that, I am grateful. My 'best friends' couldn't even call or text to wish me good luck. Puts it all in perspective, doesn't it?

Tomorrow, I jump back on the healthy train (after today's gorge of brunch at Milestones and then pizza for dinner.) I've got a wedding to attend in 2 months, damn it!

Lessons from today's events:
~Good people show up when you need them the most. Be sure to return the favour.
~Always carry water. Always.
~Sleep is underrated. Nothing beats a 3 hour, post 21.1km run.
~At some point we all hit a wall. If you choose to persevere, to continue, you have already succeeded.



Next time I'll talk about something more saucy or interesting. Today was all about running.

But only by the grace of kind strangers

Well, we're back. Lessons have been learned. Battles fought and backbones strengthened.

Let's get back to business shall we?

I've been outed to some that I did not expect to be outed to. To those individuals I say hello and welcome. But really, what does that mean? Am I meant to lead two lives? Can I exist both 'professionally' and 'creatively'?

Let's find out shall we? I'll do my best to encourage my creativity after 4:00pm from now on.

For those dying to know, the last 6 months have been both crap and amazing.

For tonight I leave you with this:

"Because it is in pain that we find the meaning of life."

I've asked my self many times these past few months if I've hurt enough to gain that knowledge. Ultimately, our idea of the meaning life changes through time. So we will always hurt. But we will also become stronger.