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Good Medicine

Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way~1964 Walt Disney, Mary Poppins

Yesterday I decided that I would attend my running club's Breakfast run.  One member of the club agreed to create the route and sponsor a post-run breakfast for the runners who attended.  The run was free for all attendees and the attendees agreed to bring something yummy for the post-breakfast feast in turn.  Seemed fair to me so I signed up.

After Googling the address and bundling up for the 25F degree forecast; I arrived at the host's home.  She is an awesome, active military woman who recently relocated to the area with her family.  She greeted each runner with a warm, welcoming smile as we arrived at her home. Then she showed us the map of the run.  None of us previewed the course.  It was  surprise.  It was very well organized and included a description as well as a picture of the route. 

Panic set in when I saw the map.  I started thinking, "What was this woman smoking when she was overseas? Is she crazy because this course looks impossible? We are just regular, everyday runners just trying to burn a few extra calories NOT the militia preparing for the last battle.  Does she really think we can run this course? Do I think I can run this course?"

And we are off….

Needless to say, I survived the course.  The 10 mile run turned out to be more like 11-ish.  While running,  I kept thinking "What am I doing out here in the hinterlands? I would have NEVER chosen a course like this?  Is this lady crazy?"  See I was out on the course all alone.  Most of the people were ahead of me.  I was happy to run alone at my pace.  My goal was to finish the  ENTIRE course.  

Then I walked in the front door inconspicuously at the end of the run.  Everyone was eating breakfast by this time and a few people  turned to me and asked, "Did you run the entire course?"  I responded, "Yes."  Some ladies smiled and admitted how they did not.  They took a short cut.  They looked at me in amazement.  I am not sure what they were thinking.  

The host asked “How’d it go?  I smiled and said, "Good Medicine."  A few other members gave me a congratulatory smile as they continued to chow down on the phenomenal smorgasbord of brunch options. 

I would have never even attempted such a running course if the host did not create one.  Secretly, I was grateful. It WAS the most challenging run I have ever done in my entire life and I FINISHED.  

This run reminded me of my grandmother made me take Castor Oil every Friday when I was a small child.  She would say, "This is good medicine and it is good for you. I know it tastes bad, but it will keep you well and make your immune system strong."  I am not sure if grand mom was right, but I had very few colds as a child.   I felt like the host gave me a good ole dose of “kick in the pants” to remind me that I am stronger and more capable than I think I am. 

Question...

Will you accept a challenge and give a good effort or will you allow fear to determine your fate?


~Stayfitt

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