Running is a metaphor for life

In the past few weeks, I have been asked about them mental challenge associated with long distance running. I then read a blog entry by my friend Josh (http://rengawman.wordpress.com/) who talks about how running on cobblestones, or really any surface, can be a metaphor for how we handle the different challenges in life. After running 16 miles today in the steady rain, I have to now agree that running is a great metaphor for life. In life, you face many challenges, big and small. In order to tackle any of these challenges, you have to take it one step at a time. When each smaller goal is met, you end up one step closer to meeting the larger one.

Long distance running is a big challenge that I am facing one step (or mile) at a time. Today, in the steady rain, I felt like a drowned rat, but rather than succumb to the weather, I kept going and managed to finish in a decent time. In this type of situation, it has less to do with my physical ability to run 16 miles but rather my mental capacity to overcome the challenges associated with meeting the task at hand. The training has really taught me a greater lesson about how valuable mental focus can be in one’s life, and will hopefully carry over into the other aspects of my life.

Running update: As mentioned above, I ran 16 miles today, which was a new distance high for me. Two weeks ago I ran my first half marathon race and finished in 2 hours 6 minutes and 12 seconds (9:38 mile pace). In the coming weeks, the “short” evening runs will go from the current 7 miles to 8. My weekend run will be 18, 16, and 20 miles. For those that don’t already know, the 20 miler is actually a race that falls directly on my 30^th birthday. So to celebrate turning the grand 3-0, I will be up early running in Westerville. Needless to say, my mental focus will continue to be tested in the coming weeks ;-)

Fundraising update: I am so very close to meeting the 2^nd goal of $2500. Thanks so much to those that have already contributed! For those who have mentioned wanting to donate, it is still not too late. Any little bit will help the cause. Even a donation of $5 or less will be helpful. Believe me when I say that the fundraising certainly motivates me and helps me as the trainings get longer and longer. You can donate online at http://www.active.com/donate/tntcoh/MNarui

Other Update: One final thing. I finally got around to putting these entries up on the web. (Yes, I joined the blogging world.) You can find my blog at http://chroniclesofmarathontraining.blogspot.com/ So if you would like to read through some of the progress or pass along my entries, feel free to do so. You can also leave me comments on the webpage as well. This blog will give me an opportunity to post any pictures without clogging everyone’s inboxes and allow me to share my progress with others. Enjoy!

That’s it for now. We will see how things go in the coming weeks. With school starting, training will become a carefully timed balancing act between work, class, homework, and having time to enjoy life.