Time heals all wounds- the Long Run

Today I did my second long run. I'd say it was about 3 miles longer than last Saturday- probably about 9 overall- and I feel good. Slow and steady but it's just about building my endurance. I finished reading " Four Months to a Four Hour marathon" ( I recommended it in an earlier post) and it provides you with a week-by-week schedule. I was psyched to realize that tomorrow is exactly 4 months until the Marathon I'm running so I can start the formal training schedule in the book on Monday.

I have developed a blister. Like the heading of this post, "Time Heals all Wounds," I know it will eventually go away but I'm wondering why I developed it. Today I'll be going to Marathon Sports to buy new sneakers. I deserve them. I've put hundreds of miles on my current pair and it's sure to cost me an injury if I keep running on them.

I was talking to someone last night who went through a relationship break-up a month ago. We were talking about how he was feeling and he's not doing so well. I said, "Well you know what they say, "Time heals all wounds," and he shook his head and said " Well, I don't believe that." I was thinking about that on my run today. How time does indeed heal all wounds. The path I take around the river is the same path I've been running for over 20 years. I went to college in Boston and have stayed since then. While I run different routes, that's my regular route and if that pavement could speak, it'd tell quite a story of all the ups and downs of my life. Running around the river has been a meditation for me and I 've grown in countless ways as I've run around that river. I was thinking this morning that only when you're in the midst of pain do you doubt that time will heal, but when you have the perspective of looking foward clearly, as well as looking back, you can see that it really is a true statement.

In yogic theory, we speak of the impermanence of all things. The Buddha teaches us that no things stay the same and the human condition is to suffer if we fight the reality that all things change. Just ask Andy Roddick or Maria Sharapova ( who used to date, ironically enough) who both lost in early rounds of Wimbledon this week( as did James Blake) . Both formerly at the top of their game and now, struggling with their performance. Impermance in action.

Thank god things change. If I thought that things were going to stay the same, I'd never have faith that I could run this thing. But I know with regular training, a good diet, healthy rest and positive people supporting me, I will do it. I'm not sure how fast I'll be, but I will run this thing.

If you're running today, have a good run. Stay off the pavement. Rest well tonight. Enjoy the weekend.

Peace.