Running to the New Year

Yesterday was the 9th annual Run for the Ranch race event, 5k, 10k, Half and Full Marathon. I ran the 10k. With a goal of finishing in the best time I could. It was a great day for running, my goals in races these days is to finish, and not be too low in the rankings. The race was 2 loops, I did the first in 22:47, decent, but I knew probably too fast for a good steady second lap. I was pleased at the half way point of that loop to be no longer be passed by anyone and to know that once I was up the last hill into the 15 mph wind it would be downhill to the finish. I passed a few people in the last block. As I came into the finish gate somebody blew past me. Oh well, I finished in 47:20, not bad, under 8 minute miles. I was surprised to see the post of the finish and I was 2nd in my age group, which means I was probably 5th fastest finisher over 40. I had not won a trophy or medal this year. What was amazing was the way this made me feel. Just that morning in Sunday school class, we had been talking about the importance of such things as recognition and rewards for overcoming adversity and how in all we do it is not so much the reward as the finish, or survival of such things. Why did this place in the race and the fact that I recieved a shiny little trophy with a cowboy boot on it give me some elevated sense of accomplishment, recognition or something? I can only attribute it to ego, that part of me that I make fun of and denegrade to keep it in check. But what I found was that even in a race at the end of the year, what really keeps me coming back is not the chance to beat my old time, it really is the chance to prove myself "better" than others. This is not really the theme I want for my 2009 resolution, self-improvement sounds much better, but if I look inside I find I still want to beat somebody.

Old and New Year

The classic Old Man Time of the past year welcoming, warning or ignoring the New Baby of the coming year comics will all be published in a few days. The old year in reflection, was what it was, good, bad ,with some really beautiful parts and others so ugly, that nobody can really say that any good came from them. Things I am thankful for, will bring curses from others, rain to name one. To date our area is showing the 3rd wettest year on record. For us, on top of this rocky hill, not really a problem, except that weeds like water as much as my gardens do. For those living along the many rivers and lakes in the area, the cry was "Please make it stop!". This is the first time that I can remember all the Army Corp dams on the White River having to let water out of their impoundments. And yes, there was ice, and tornados and lots of awful things happened.
I lost money in my retirement account, but so far I'm still employed.
There were deaths in the family, a brother-in-law/mentor who taught me that life is always about doing what you like, died way to young and my wife's step-father of 22 years, who worked hard, lived determined and in his mid-80's still had a sharp mind even though his body was dull and unresponsive. I am thankful for them in my life. Others came and went in this year, and so if anything was consistent for 2008, it was change.
I look forward to 2009 as a time of adventure. The main thing I want to remember is 2008 is where I came from, and 2009 is where I'm going. 2009 also will be what it will be, and I will be shaped by the events it holds, but somethings are constant, wind, rock and dirt, the love of family and of the Creator, and these will bend me, hold me and in the end sustain me for the next year! Happy New Year! Peace.