I originally started writing this post back in June, but abandoned it. Writing doesn't come easy for me, and sometimes I don't finish an article if I can't find the right words. I should not worry so much about that.
Anyway, I remembered it today when I checked the weather forecast for Sunday. It's going to be 96 Freakin' degrees during my half iron race! Not a pleasant day for a 13.1 mile hilly run. After a 56 mile hilly bike. After swimming for 40+ minutes in choppy water.
I had been contemplating looking at the time on my stopwatch and pushing myself hard during the run in order to achieve my elusive sub 6 hour goal. But, now I don't think so. I think running in that kind of heat means I should throw any time goals for the run out the window. If heat slows me down, it's probably slowing everybody down.
My goal for that run will be to not let the heat bug me...and try to relax, have fun and do my best. Which leads me to the original topic of this post: Serenity.
Here's the original post, started June 7, 2008 (which I did finish writing just now).
The prayer of Saint Francis that hung on the wall of my childhood home came to my mind today. Whatever your religious beliefs, I hope you find wisdom in these words...
Lord grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
-- Saint Francis of Assisi
So, what got me thinking about this? Running in 90 degree temperatures, of course! While I was struggling to run in the heat of the day, I thought of this prayer and thought to myself "I cannot change this heat. All I can change is my reaction to this heat". So for the rest of the run, I just tried to relax my body, run my best, accept what I cannot change. Stressing over th e heat just adds to the overall stress your body is experiencing, whereas relaxing reduces that stress. So, it is best to just accept the heat - and relax! That reminds me of another post I wrote which I titled: Relax, Relax, Relax
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