August 8, 2016 I WILL SURVIVE

I ran a very difficult race over the weekend--WHY-- I don't know--because it's a tradition. I was nervous about the run because it was supposed to be hazy, hot & humid--I am a terrible runner in that kind of weather. So I did what all masters of denial do-- I tried to ignore the weather predictions all week hoping they would change. I also had to drive my daughter to work several times last week--UNFORTUNATELY the route happens to also be the first 4-5 miles of the race I had to run--which gave me anxiety--especially--after they spray painted the arrows on  the road  bright green so runners wouldn't get lost.  I am a person who functions BEST in DENIAL. I don't want to know the weather, I do not want to see or think about the route--I want to pretend it isn't happening until I get to the race and register-- 20 minutes before it starts. Anyways, all of these things conspired against me as I waited for the race to begin. I had a terrible race. I was dehydrated, nauseous and delirious--and I'm just talking about the first 4-5 miles. It got worse. I WALKED. I have never walked in a race before. I lost the mental game. Although running is physical, it is actually more mental. My mind played tricks on me and I was weak--beaten down by the run. In the grand scheme of things--I know this is just a tiny hiccup in my life--I will survive--I'll be back-- better than ever--I hope.

When I think of the word perseverance, I always think of  Louis Zamperini. Zamperini is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's inspirational non-fiction book entitled Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Zamperini was a great runner--he ran almost a 4 minute mile--he even appeared in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. During World War II, Zamperini put he running career on hold and entered the military serving as a bombardier for the Army Air Force.  While on a rescue mission in 1943,  his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Zamperini and two other men spent several weeks--47 days-- at sea in a small raft-- before being rescued---by the Japanese. Unfortunately,  he was imprisoned, tortured, beaten, and starved for 3 years before being rescued.   His story is unforgettable. It is a testament to the resolve of the human mind, body and spirit. It is a story of a man who would not be broken and Hillenbrand's writing is flawless. It  is about 400 pages including pictures--about a 10k--I literally couldn't put it down and it will stay with me forever.  On a side note,  Zamperini died I few years ago--he was 94--look him up on the internet-- he is a true war hero, a legend.