Let us each Run The Race

Remember the last time a time in your life when you tried something totally new.

I remember running my first 10K , the Leggs Mini Marathon .. a loop of Central Park in New York held annually in May. You can run with 30,000 of your closest friends. A daunting journey to me it seemed, at the time having run 4 miles as my longest distance. Was I nervous… in a word Yes… fitful sleeping at best the night before… a pre-race conondrum that I never did grow out of..but I digress. I reember coming towards Tavern on the Green, the finish line (also the finish line of the infamous New York City Marathon which I would subsequently run) with the Gulf and Western Building in the distance. I still remember to this day, as I kicked it up a notch, my mantra “Run to that Gulf and Western”, and I did … finishing in a credible 46 minutes. Queasy, ready to heave… but happy and triumphant of spirit.

I signed up to be a volunteer at the New York Marathon that Fall. My job was to pass out water to the runners at the 25 mile water station. . I remember being so excitedto see all the different kinds of people who passed by and grabbed a cupof water. Some ran past, some walked past and a few wheeled past. I saw so manysypes of people doing it, … folks that did not fit “my picture” I thought maybe I can do it too!

So the next year I signed up for the race and gave it a shot. Back thenI didn’t do much to prepare except jog around my neighborhood. in the upper East side. I ran a bit with the New York chapter of World Runners, but planned to partner with my brother Jeff.. doing his salute to “I’d better do a ‘thon before I’m 30″ syndrome.” While we did our long runs and “loops ” in Central Park, it was a relatively casual affair. My only goal was to finish in under 4 hours. Needless to say that I prepare differently when I run races today, butback then my only goal was to finish before the finish clock said 4:00

On the day of the race, of course we had to to the “get to Staten Island” routine, hurry up and wait… for the start. . There’s a rush when you start and go through Brooklyn and again when you cross the 59th street bridge. You arein Manhattan and while you’re only at mile 16, ti’s a psychological hurdle. I remember struggling at about the 22th mile, thinking, “I must be crazy, why did I do this? What was I thinking? And at one point (a phrase I would repeat in many races in the future, “G-d, if you just get me through this… I promise I’ll never do it again”.

Have you ever felt that way about something? You eagerly undertake agoal and in the midst of it comes a moment of struggle, and you realizeit is much harder than you imagined it would be?

Thencame a defining moment. As I was coming along 59 th streeet instead of focusing inward on my fatigue, I let the huge crowds cheering “take me home”. At one point near the end, a 70 year old man ran past me, very very fast, getting his finishing kick in but making it look effortless. For an instant, I felt defeated. Then I realized , he was running his race and I was running mine.

He had different abilities, experience, training and goals for himself.I had mine. My goal was to see the finish clock in 4:00 or less in the “full and upright postiion”. How often in life do we compare ourselves to others and feel disappointed in ourselves when we really shouldn’t? I did make my goal finishing in 3:55 … Of course I immediately asked G-d for a reprieve on the “I’ll never do this again”. since I decided that I would not give up on running races, in fact, I would run even more races and I would actually run with a coach /running club As I crossed the finish line, I was one tired but very happy camper, I mean runner.

I am so glad I didn’t give up on running. Today it is an incredible source of joy in my life. I have run several races since then, transitioning to trails and ultrarunning with the dubious distinction of having completed a couple of 50 milers. Now I’m doing it on my horse, Billy… endurance riding. The places I’ve traveled and . country I probably wouldnt have ever seen, the friendships, the insights… worth more than any “time” or place”although I am competitive.

The impact of sport on my life has been remarkable. . What I’ve ultimately discovered… it’s never “about the run”… it’s just a mirror of where we are in the life.. Life is a series of races. There are life lessons to be learned in each race.. If you don’t win the race, but you get the lesson, and grow, it’s a win. Now that ’s an eye opener.

In life we all have those moments where we compare ourselves to others. It’s only natural. Don’t allow those moments to discourage you. Instead, be inspired and motivated. Use them to show you what’s possible. Every struggle is an “opportunity in work clothes”. You define your own race when you define your own goals. Think about it, your destiny wont be determined by one little race.

But first some good carbs to fuel that run… one of my all time favs… granola - but heck since we’re “running”, a healthier version

Almond and Nutmeg Granola courtesy lf Whole Foods
* 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
* 3 tablespoons oat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
* 1 cup slivered, blanched almonds
* 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey
* 1/3 cup high oleic sunflower oil or canola oil
* 1 teaspoon almond extract
* 1/2 to 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, or to taste
* 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 300°F.

Blend the oats, flour and almonds together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup or honey, oil, almond extract, nutmeg and salt. Add to the oat mixture, stirring well to coat.

Place mixture on a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for one hour, stirring and turning granola over half way during baking to break up lumps. Allow the granola to cool completely then store in an airtight container. Serves 6

So what “races ” do you want to run?

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your task
- Phillips Brooks