I just finished an 8 mile training run. I had deep misgivings about the length of this run; it’s a lot longer than any I’ve done in a couple of years. But I’m following the program and have faith that as long as I do that I can get through whatever is scheduled. My plan was that when the dog got me up at 6:30 I’d leap out of bed, eat my Cheerios and blueberries and get out the door while it was still cool. And this time the plan worked, (except for the leaping part) even though I didn’t make it to bed till long after midnight. Last night I picked up another brother from the airport at 11:30 and of course we had to talk for a bit before going to bed.

It took me 1 hour, 47 minutes and 3 seconds to do 8 miles. The three seconds were the hardest part. Mostly I was doing 2/1’s (two minutes running, one minute walking)…but there were some 3/1’s, 4/1’s and one notable 5/1 followed by a 3/1 while going down a long hill that I paid for in the next mile. Usually I note nature stuff along the way to report, but I didn’t notice much this time. I considered this a serious run and concentrated on my watch, my feet and my breathing. I thought a lot about my uncle who is now home under hospice care. The doctors underestimated his strength when they told us he’d die “within hours” five days ago. Now he’s home focused on each breath, much like I was focused on my breathing as I ran. In the old days when I used to run marathons I’d get through them by ignoring the big picture of 26.2 miles and paying attention only to the mile I was in. Now I am reduced to focusing on the minute I’m in, and that isn’t at all bad.

I’m headed to the shower now, and then my two brothers and I are going down to Ann Arbor to visit with a man who is living in the moment.