Monday, May 7, 2012

Rock Bottom (an irrational love story, of sorts..)

One of the things you need to know about me is that I'm, at heart, an irrational being.  First off, being a teacher is an irrational career choice (particularly if it's your 2nd career!).....and teaching middle school is even more irrational.   But beyond my career choice, there is one particular part of my personality that indicates just how deep irrationality runs in me......

And that's my love for the Boston Red Sox.

Cubs fans may now take the title, but the Red Sox made their fans wait 86 years between titles.  Time for entire generations to live out their entire lives getting their hearts broken by the Olde Towne Team again and again, all without the wonderful resolution that their World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 provided.  I can only lay claim to having been in love with this team since 1970, so for me it was a mere 34 years waiting for a championship.  After they won again in 2007, I was content for them to go back to their losing ways......but who am I trying to kid?  I still live and die with this team.......you cannot erase an irrational love affair with a fancy trophy......it cannot be killed......it refuses to die.

Which bring me to this current season.

Very early on, the new manager said that the team had hit "rock bottom" after they started the year with a series of losses at home.  The team then went on the road and had a very successful road trip, only to return home again to start losing once more.  As far as I'm concerned, they hit "rock bottom" again last night, losing to the Baltimore Orioles in 17 innings.  17 innings?  Really?  This game lasted 6 hours and 7 minutes, which was how long it took me to run the Boston Marathon, get my shiny blanket and bottle of Gatorade, find my bags, reunite with my wife and son, and walk the 1/2 mile to the train station to go home......this game went on so long that both teams ran out of pitchers and for the first time since 1925, had to both use position players as pitchers.  It was compelling and ridiculous, but I couldn't stop watching.......like I said.....it's irrational!    As it was the last game of a losing homestand, it was my hope that my beloved team had truly hit "rock bottom" for real and will now begin winning.....

So what does that have to do with my running, you ask??????

Because I believe I hit "rock bottom" today......

You see, after reading so many of all your wonderful blog posts, telling your compelling stories of your weekend triumphs in races ranging from 5K's to marathons and beyond, I was really staring to get psyched to get out there and start training again.  The 3 weeks since Boston have been a bit hazy for me, training-wise, so I'm trying to get things moving again.  I really believed today would be the day.

And I had one of those runs........you know the kind..........where you just can't seem to get it going.  You think you'll warm up, loosen up, and start to feel better, but you never do.  I describe it to my wife as the point where my body "unlocks".......when you get into the flow and the run feels like you're floating effortlessly.  That moment never came. 

Nothing felt right straight from the moment I left the driveway and headed out.  Ankles were cracky.....knees and quads were a bit achy........shoes seemed too tight......shirt was clinging too much.......and I never reached that point of feeling good.  Every part of the run was a struggle.......uphills seemed steeper.....downhills seemed shorter......and the wind was ALWAYS in my face.  Considering how little fun I was having, I'm surprised I stuck it out to the end, but to my credit I didn't quit.

Tomorrow will be another chance to start again........and I remain hopeful.   

17 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean! I was feeling a little bit of that on Sunday!! The most important thing is that you stuck it out until the end!!

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  2. Yup...it's always like that. My HR was +10 on my first run post Eugene 8). You'll get back soon enough.

    Luis Tiant, Jim Lonborg remember those names?

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    1. thanks, Paul........do I remember El Tiante and Gentleman Jim.........two of my favorites. I remember going to a bank in my town in 1971 to get an autographed picture of Jim Lonborg, but I think the REAL reason I went was because my Grandma had a HUGE crush on him and she REALLY wanted to meet him!

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  3. Oh hon, I have been 'there' for over a week now...You will pick back up before you know it! xoxo!

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    1. thanks, Lady M.......I had a feeling you would know what I'm feeling! Hope you're doing better, too.

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  4. It will pass. Hang in there.

    Our Predators are out of the Stanley cup race so we are feeling funky today all over Nashville. :-(

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    1. Thanks, Lisa......at least the Preds made it to the next round......my Bruins got bounced early!

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  5. It's hard to get motivated again and that's normal...the only reason I was up and at it so soon after Boston was because I planned to race again, otherwise, I'd have rested... It'll definitely pass.

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    1. I really have no races that I'm interested in running until after my school year ends, so until the end of June, it looks like I'm going to have to rely on internal motivation. I have no doubt I'll get back at it......in spite of yesterday, I'm going to run again today....and I know it'll be better!

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  6. Hang in there Bill! You already did the most important thing by not giving up on that run. You'll find your groove again soon.

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    1. I actually might have already gotten it back, Amy......yesterday was good.......and today will hopefully be better (although I'm not too keen on running in the rain when I'm not actually training for something!)

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  7. I think it was something in the air this past weekend.... or maybe it was the full moon. :)

    I too have that same love affair with the Red Sox. I yearn for another great year and another championship!!!

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    1. maybe that was it.......it's a lunar thing!

      I'm with ya on the Sox.......but I don't think this year is going to be the year.....it's looking uglier every day!

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  8. I have one of those terrible runs almost once a week - they make you appreciate the good runs! (and, as someone with an irrational love affair with the Cubs, i completely understand. I finish every season with "Next year is our year" My sweet grandma passed away at 91 years old having never seen them win a series. I suppose we do have that whole goat curse thing though....) Here's hoping Theo brings us some of that Boston luck!

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    1. I've always looked at Cubs fans as spiritual brothers (and sisters!) to Sox fans.......old, neighborhood ballpark.......passionate fan base.......seemingly endless series of disappointments and heartbreaks. Believe me, I'm pulling for you guys to get it done! You did get Boy Genius, so hopefully that will help!

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  9. Thanks for the comment :-)
    17 innings was pretty outrageous, even for a diehard fan like me. You know things are rought when you get two "7th" inning stretches, gahd!
    Good luck getting your running mojo back, we can only hope that the sox get their's back as well (ASAP thank you!)

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