Perspective.

[SNOWRUNNER]

This weekend in running was a spetacular event. A  time for self and a time for friends.
 Saturdays 25k on Stockdale was cold but beautiful.I like to try differnt things. A couple of ATB`S ago i had some orange slices that a lady had put out for the runners. In a short time my energy was replenished. So saturday morning i fresh squeezed some oranges into my fuel belt bottle and off i went to check it out. It froze solid when i went to drink it.. so much for that. But the cold and lack of juice was not an issue.. the winters view was breathtaking. Upon my return , the sun was behind the trees illuminating the ice covered branches against the colbalt blue sky.I never had my camera, but i wont forget the view.
  Sunday was a time for friends. It was good to see Billy out. He accomplished a feat, a huge goal. He ran the goofy in Disney. Now he is starting out running again. Good to see. With a new goal in mind.I truely admire Bill.
  And the regular gang and puppies were having a great run as well.
    Shannon had an observation this weekend. It puts a lot of things into perspective..
  Maybe it`s not all the running we do, but take the running out of  life`s equasion, and none of this good would of happened to us this weekend.. Perhaps replaced with another good?  maybe.. but i will stick with this one, and the heart felt joy that this gift called running has provided for me... and my friends as well.

                     see ya`s on sunday at the funrunraiser, and have a safe and happy week.
                                                                         happy trails, Dave Storey.

[Jane]

My weekend was kind of like yours Dave - except backwards.  Yesterday we did our fun run -- not long - only about 6K and only a few of us came out (that's what happens when there is no food planned) but it was great to talk and run. 

Today Heather and I went out by ourselves mainly because she wasn't sure how far her IT would let her run.  She lasted 5K before she decided to concentrate on stretching and rolling instead.  It was great to be out there running with her though.  Nothing better than running with your daughter or another family member.   As several members of our group can attest to, since we have several pairs or groups of family members who run together regularly.   

As I was running by myself for the second 5K I noticed something amazing - something I hadn't heard for awhile.  Birds!!  There were birds singing!  Now that must be a sign!!!!  I hope we are now on the downhill slope towards spring!

As I was running and listening to those birds sing I was thinking what an effort that second 5K seemed to be.  It sure wasn't easy and I don't know why.  But, speaking of perspective, I was thinking about how grateful I was to be able to lace up my shoes and run, even if it isn't always easy.  It truly is a gift to be able to move this body no matter how sluggish it might sometimes feel, even if it is only for a few kms.  Many people can't do that for one reason or another.  For some people it is a struggle just to get up out of bed each morning.  So we should enjoy and be grateful for those moments both running alone and with our family and friends.   We should bask in the sunshine and soak in the beautiful scenery and enjoy life to its fullest.  As Dave said, we are so fortunate to have our family, friends and our common love of running as a bond which ties us all together. 

((((((((((((Group hug))))))))))))   

[Bill]

DAVE AND JANE

WELL SAID

[Petra]

Yes, that was really well said by both of you