Leeward and windward, but got it done
There’s one thing about living and running on the shore, when the weather changes, runs can be a bit more challenging. Today was like that, but I was very happy with this run. It was tough, but I kept my pace and only broke form once to crouch a little during a particularly strong breeze coming off the cathedral.
As I was running at one point, a lady on a bike was gesturing that I should run in the other direction, leeward. For those who don’t know leeward is moving in the direction the wind is blowing, and windward is obviously going into the wind. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you think things need to get better, but you always take the path of least resistance, things will not change. If I want to be better, stronger, more durable, faster, I need to run in all conditions. You don’t know what you’ll get on race day. But if you’re ready for it, it doesn’t matter what you get. Keep in mind, I’m not stupid, I won’t run in lightning.
But just like running, in life it’s all well and good to take it easy and go with the flow. People will always encourage you to do it. But if you see something you need to improve, if you see some place where you can make a difference, make life better for yourself, for others, then do it. Sometimes that means running into the wind. Sometimes it means people will say mean things about you, call you names, try to hurt you, emotionally, physically, it doesn’t matter though. Doing what’s right is always important. Even if you fail on any given day, you’re stronger for the next time. And that’s the key.
Today, I did great, I even had negative splits every single mile (and all but one kilometer). So even running into the wind, I was getting faster as I was getting more tired. I have to be very happy about that. I feel like I’m improving every day, which was not the case earlier in the year, where I felt tired, I felt like I was falling apart physically. I still feel slow some days, even though I’m running faster, but I feel good.
So this is good, it’s coming together. Now I have to decide if I want to jump through hoops to run the marathon in Puglia in December. Because they are firm on this stupid medical certificate. There are so many things to love about Italy, but the truly stupid bureaucracy is absolutely not one of them. They damage the country so much with it, and I know it keeps foreign investment out, it makes tourists stay away from certain things. I know tons of people I’d love to suggest races to, and would love to come and run here. Rome, and a few other marathons get exceptions to the stupid medical certificate rule, but others don’t it seems. I know people who run one marathon a week, sometimes more. How many of them are asking their doctors for permission? None! They know their bodies at this point, they know what they’re capable of. They go and do it. They are responsible for themselves.
I’m sure this all came about because one time, some high-ranking politician was a doctor, or ran hospitals or something, and realized it was a good way to make a few extra lire. Seriously, this is how things happen here. Everyone has to go to driving school if you want an Italian license, when if you’ve been driving in a country, licensed, for decades. Countries with higher standards for driving exams, doesn’t matter! Because a high-ranking politician owned driving schools, so he got the law passed that way. Basically, it’s a scam. It’s annoying. Part of me says I should just save my money, focus on saving up to run Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the big one Antarctica! And just forget about running races in Italy, because they absolutely are crazy here when it comes to their bureaucracy. But part of me says I should start working to change it, because it is silly, and I want my friends to come visit and run!
Have fun, keep running, and remember; if Gil can run then so can you!
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