Starting Over

Okay so it's been a full month without updates.  I try not to give excuses because it's a done deal.  A month has passed without updates.  However, bear with me as I explain what has transpired to me the past month.

Two big events.  The first one is that we moved.  I was consumed by the whole moving episode.  I packed, cleaned, hauled, and packed, cleaned, and hauled.  What made it more challenging is that we were downsizing, so I had to minimize what I had to move.  Now that we've moved, the next chapter is the unpacking.  You guys know.  I'm sure you've done some moving at least once in your life.  One thing I discovered, moving and running don't mix.  I was able to get some runs in during the week, but I missed two weekends without doing long runs.  Bummer!

The other event is that my wife is getting weaker lately.  As you know, my wife is fighting Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  The scans have shown slight progression of the metastases in her lungs and liver.  We sought a second opinion from a respected breast cancer specialist at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Cancer Center.  The prognosis is not to great.  She recommended a new treatment on clinical trial but she thinks that she is too weak to handle the regimen.  There is another chemo drug that she names, but our doctor thinks that it might be better to give the current treatment plan a few more cycles before we decide any change of plans.  I have been staying with my wife more often everyday especially during weekends, instead of doing my running routines.  When I see that she's feeling a little better, or fast asleep, then I head out to run.

Today I found myself time to do a long run.  My wife was feeling relaxed and she encouraged me to do my running plans.  And on the road, I promised myself to post on my blog.  I'm not going to worry about the missed days to write, but I'm just going to start over.  This was my motto, too, during my moving experience.  Starting over.

I'm a runner so I know what it's like to get behind the starting line over again for every race.  What matters is that I'm back and ready to go for it at the sound of the gun.

Rainy Run

It was pouring last night exactly what the weather report said.  Heavy rains with gusty winds.  The streets of Antioch were drenched.  Puddles of rainwater on the sidewalks and gutters were overflowing in a few street corners.   Cars whooshed on the wet roads and splashed on waterlogged areas as the commuters rush to get home.  But there I was running on the road in the middle of the stormy night.  I could see a few drivers looking at me and probably thinking. "Are you serious?"

Yup.  That's me running.  I actually enjoy running in the rain.  It brings out both the playfulness and toughness in me.  It brings back childhood memories of playing the rain and getting drenched in the open air without a care in the world.  As an adult, braving the elements of nature and making it through makes me feel tough.  But the rain also reminds of one of its particular symbolism.  Rain represents blessings.  Doesn't the line that goes "When it rains, it pours," sounds familiar to you?

My rainy run then actually made me think of the blessings I received this year 2010.  Wow, what a year it was.  As I kept running through the rain, I recalled some of my blessings.  I completed six marathons this year.  My wife survived three emergency room visits.  We sold our house.  My son turned 14.  He received a scholarship. I kept my job. I received two grant approvals. I stayed healthy.  Wow!  I just kept running and said a prayer of thanksgiving.  Being soaking wet in the rain felt good as I thought about these blessings.  Thank you, God!  It was good rainy run.  A good way to reminisce this year that's about to pass.  No more rain the forecast for the remainder of the days, but I sure pray for more blessings in 2011.