The teacher, Odies Wright, is a member and active volunteer with the youth at Hillcrest. I talked to him today at church just to ask a few questions about his marathon class. It went a little like this:
Me: "Hey Odies, how far would someone need to be able to run at the start of your marathon class?"
Odies: "Well, I have some who run pretty sporadically. I'd say most come in at a few miles or so. Why?"
Me: "Well, I was thinking about taking it."
Odies: "How far can you go?"
Me: "6 miles. I've been averaging about 13-16 miles per week."
Odies: "Oh you'd be great! I wish all my students started there."
After that conversation, I couldn't really convince myself not to take the class. I've really come to love running this semester, and I think I know why. I have been busier this semester than ever. I thought my schedule was going to be better this semester, but it hasn't quite turned out as I expected (as life tends to do). So the most peaceful times in my week are the times that I run. My running partner recently broke her foot, so I've been running alone for a little bit. I stopped listening to music while I run and spend the time thinking, praying, meditating, or just enjoying the rhythm of running. It has become a very centering time in a crazy life.
I think this has factored into my decision. Next semester looks to be much less busy, but I'm not betting on that again. I always find ways to fill my schedule back up. If I take this course, not only will I accomplish something pretty great, but I will automatically have time set aside for what has been a very important time for me personally and spiritually over the past year.
Now I just have to keep the running up over a crazy summer of interning!
