HIGH WATERS

My dad on the left, circa 1956.  He’d still whup any 3 of you!  Notice the depth of the hole and the single spade marks behind these MEN.  This is the type of man my dad was and is.  Hardworking, hard nosed, and hard bodied!  Now you know where I get it.

From June 1-I grew up decidedly lower middle class.  New clothes were a luxury I would not be afforded until high school.  Ill fitting hand-me-downs were the uniform of the day, most often the britches were either way too long or way too short  “High Waters”.  And the railroad tracks were right behind my house.  I absorbed a lot of condescension and bullying that would shape my views on the silver spooned, golden teated, and self entitled.  Took the hard road (USN) out of the shriveled opportunities of Central Illinois.  After my discharge I spent the next 13 years bouncing around from failed job to failed job (issues with authority if you can imagine that!).  It was during those years I discovered running and my path to happiness (not fun).

 

But some things have stayed with me, deep.  I still bristle when I feel wronged and don’t hesitate to stand up for what I believe in.   People either respect that or they hate it.  My brash, forward, insistent personality helps to hone either of those emotions to a fine edge.  My friends find me to be fiercely loyal and tirelessly supportive.  Those that choose the other side of the fence find no quarter and like all bullies are shocked that I willingly stand toe-to-toe against them.  Walk Away!  I think not!

The Big Blue Run will not be affected by the High Waters of the Missouri.  The USATF Certified  course (NE11010KU) is at 39′ elevation which is 10 feet above the projected crest.  One of only a handful of certified 5Ks in Nebraska, a good chance to check where your training and fitness is on June 11.  www.midwestprostatecancer.org/big-blue-run.html

Yesterday’s column “Fun No Fun” generated a lot of feedback, I’m glad that many of you turned an eye inward to see where your own joy juxtaposes with running.  Most didn’t confuse Fun with enjoyment, fulfillment, friendships etc.  This from the mailbag:
“Will,
I have been thinking about what you said today about fun.
I have to agree with you that running isn’t fun. I have fun sometimes when I run but it’s not the act of running, it’s the friendship and what running in my life brings to me. There are times that I do run and feel happy – usually because I feel free, or it’s my drug that I use to clear my head. I know the days I don’t run, I’m no fun to be around (says ******). There are many things that people do that they deem fun, but are also a lot of work. I don’t think training for a marathon is fun, and I am not running this ultra because I think it’s fun. If you use the the definition of fun as amusing, entertainment, pleasure, and therefore not serious, then definitely NOT, running is not fun.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about why I run, especially when I’m out doing 20+ miles alone in the rain while I’m starving. It hurts, it’s lonely at times, and I think I’m pretty stupid. I’m not an athlete. I’m just some mother that thinks she wants to try this thing. I don’t think I ever felt alive until I ran, until I ran hard (until I met you and Linda). I never felt pain and mental anguish until I ran with a personal purpose and goal. I never thought I was tough enough… but I know I am now. To be alive is to feel things. I feel a lot of things towards running, but I agree, FUN is something you feel when you’re innertubing down a river holding a beer….”