Another day in the Neighborhood

Some bloggers post everything and anything, and are consistent no matter what.  Other (like this one), I guess you could say absence makes the heart grow fonder. No that's not right.  Absence makes the brain wonder more?  or Absence make the wonder greater.  What is going on behind the curtain.  If we've been quite, surely there has been enough "activity" to warrant a blog post.   Guess so. Though lately our "activity" results in us needing to circle the wagons.

Halloween is past.  Thankfully without any major, Gi-normous issues.  Wont share them here, but the rollar coaster has been derailed a few times, and those that are in the know, well you are in the know, and its stuff we dont really post here.  Who want to see the neighbors dirty laundry anyone.  Its not as if you are looking to see if their is any more nasty then your own.

Sacrifice for with purpose.   Another opportunity arose.  Ran a marathon without any specific time, rather an "effort goal".  I did run with a group of Faithful men (our group calls ourself the Fellowship of Runners), and they had an aggressive time goal.  In the range of 8:02 - 8:15 per mile for all 26.2 .   Thats a pace I can hold for 7 to 15 miles, beyond that, I would need exceptionally perfect conditions to pull that off.   But I went out with them, hung in as long as I could, again knowing my personal goal was effort.  I did hold the pace for almostt 17 miles.  Slowly the pace crept longer and longer.  Ended up with a very respectable 8:29 pace for a 3:42 marathon.  Perhaps a Personal Record, but I'm not keeping track.  So what of the goal...

It was hard,  hard enough that I wasnt even able to focus so much on all the "sacrifice" I was offering up. But that's OK also.  Just mean I took it up a notch.  When one foot in front of the other, and keep breathing are about the only thoughts,  I'm thinking that alot is being offered up. 

Its no Thanksgiving.  But got a lot to be thankful for.  A great group of men to share some time with.  The ability to run longer distances, and persevere in the effort with the hope the effort will be accepted to bring aid to others.  A Wife the gave me the green light to go ahead and race, and held down the fort whilst I was gone.  A family, however challenging and dysfunctional we are, that keep me on my toes every minute of every day. Employment.    Enough spare change to buy some Chipotle when the need (and yes I do mean need, because sometimes you just need Chipotle) arises.  But mostly thankful that I've maintained my Faith during a year that would have possibly destroyed many men, they jobs, and their families.  

Don't know where the roller coaster is going, when the next derailment is, or when it might come to a peaceful stop.  But for today. The hands are still strong enough to hold on tight.

Peace