“If you trip in life, just make it part of the dance.”
I saw this quote on a decorative sign at a street vendor’s cart in Boston…. And from the past few weeks of my running life, it somehow seems fitting.
One week out from the my participation in the 2010 Boston Marathon I ventured out for a lovely 15 mile run, which was also the last run of my 20s. I ventured into my 30s prancing through the streets of Winston-Salem, and having the run of my life I bounded around the corner onto a relatively quiet neighborhood street, when somehow my feet had a fight with one another and I hit the pavement in a glorious and memorable face plant. Yep – I had tripped. Maybe this should have been a sign of what was to come.
I shook off the fall – even finished the run a bit scarred and battered – and blazed on through a week of filled with birthday celebrations and pre-race preparations.
One week post-fall I ventured to Boston to run the race of my life. Well… that was the plan.
The plan started out great on paper. The first 10 miles were right on pace – and in fact – the first 13 seemed okay. But at mile 8 my body was having a pretty loud conversation with me that maybe I should have considered my face plant as a sign.
Things unraveled. The short story: I did finish (YAY), not at all where I wanted to (bummer), I spent a considerable amount of time with the medics (thank goodness for patient medics!), and I learned a lot long the way.
I learned that life and running are very similar. Curveballs will come your way, and despite your amazing amount of grace, preparation, and training, you just might trip. But I learned that tripping is okay. No – I am not so rose glassed ever the optimist type who won’t admit when things really stink. Tripping DOES stink. But when you trip up you really appreciate the moments when things go perfectly well, and you appreciate the people who love you whether you bound gracefully through the trails or face plant from time to time.
So yep – I tripped. But I am going to make it part of my dance.
As for the next marathon? Ha! When pigs fly!
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Stacie...you rock in my book...trip or no trip.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Stacie, there are so many things in life that NEVER go as planned, and turning it into a dance is the best thing to do. You can dwell on plans that went awry, or you can just move forward and plan the next one! I don't want to be in front of you in your next marathon!!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you finished the Boston marathon is just amazing to me. I like the 5K running thing but to run for that long and that distance is just something my mind can't get a hold of. I'm glad your okay and hey, everyone trips, we just hope they don't end up in anything broken.
ReplyDeleteStacie, that fact that you ran the marathon is inspiration to me, trip or not. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteStacie, The fact that you ran Boston twice makes me think you hit your head when you tripped!! HA HA. Just kidding...way to go! I like my easy 5k's! I miss seeing you!
ReplyDeleteSo you are coming to cincy?
ReplyDeleteStacie, some say life is a journey.........I say life is a trip! You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your optimism. Life is too short to dwell on the mishaps. They are what make life interesting anyway!!! Hey, you will always be my idol, so don't forget that!! She you at speed in morning! Look out Cincy!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe part of the reason for your tripping and you sharing it with us is for our inspiration. It's hard for me to even fathom being invited to run the Boston Marathon much less finishing it! Knowing that even the best of runners or the best of people have to deal with those curveballs like the rest of us helps keep me insprired when my curveballs come.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I'm making sense but just know that I'm insprired by your faithfulness to our group and also by your honesty about your "trip".
Kim
Stacie,
ReplyDeleteAs I told you yesterday, the fact that you were actually a part of the Boston Marathon 2010 is awesome. Everyone in the No Boundaries Spring 2010 was pulling for you and were so excited to be able to say "my coach is running in the Boston Marathon", so remember to listen to Pooh and Christopher Robin. You are awesome and yes life does have some trips in the road, but you pick yourself up and book it on, just like you did and YOU DID IT!!! YOU RAN IN THE BOSTON MARATHON!!!
For someone so young, you have an amazingly deep perspective. This old lady (half glass empty) thinks you are awesome***EXTRAORDINARY & INSPIRING!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the meomories. diane