Hi Anthony:

This last semester, I have firmly and empirically confirmed that now is a time which cannot be repeated. It is my final semester of undergraduate work, among some of the closest friends I have.
That is to say, much of what I’ve endeavored to fulfill has been a new adventure, a place where memories are forged, and previous notions are dissolved.

More importantly, this celebration signifies an end, as well as a beginning. Symbolizes renewal as well as change. I’ve been detoured from running the last 10 days or so, due to a persistent case of tendonitis. The first week was tolerable, as I was volunteering, and expected to sacrifice. The second week was more daunting. Cross training and icing and ibuprofen, has kept me sane.

Every year when the snow begins to melt, and the sun shines, and those whom were once slumbered in hibernation, become active. George Sheehan referred to them as pigeons -Easily identifiable by their brightly colored “jogging” clothes. Paradoxically, they run in pairs, yet both listen to their own iPods, distancing themselves from their partner. In short, those who do not run more than 3 times in a celestial year, run on these days.

The second phenomena that begins to happen, is people become wholly cognizant of this event called The Boston Marathon. They know they’ve seen you around; Running - or even riding a bike – or always in the gym, so they inquire the following:

“How long is this marathon?”
“Have you run that far before?”
“How do you run that far?”

Albeit, the distance is humbling. It redefines you as a person. I always find the greatest lessons not in the race, but in the training.

Those with whom I train with are brothers and sisters. My coach once said that after someone covers 6 miles of distance run, they become incredibly human. Nothing is more true. Lance Armstrong once spoke of the beauty of suffering, within le train bleu, or the blue train, when he used to ride for Postal. Training provides a cornerstone upon which humility is built.

The essential problem is the fact that I want to graduate. Return to a more disciplined form of training. Yet, I want to have no regrets. Therefore, in two months I will be somewhere else, and for the short time that remains, I must understand that the present will not re-appear.

With prudence and His blessing, Boston will be conquered.