Wow - political debates, controversial legislature, bank failures .... I think that in a few years we'll look back on this time and say - that was a crossroad. Things changed after that. In a few weeks' time we will either elect the first female VP or the first african-american President. The controversial "bailout" will either succeed in some small way or it will fail miserably. The American way of life - banks, lines of credit, loans and mortgaging away your life ... it will change one way or the other. Its exciting and scary at the same time - you can feel it in the air - things are going to change.
It is killing me not to espouse my opinion, make my case for the issues that matter to me, say why I think that one candidate is a better choice than the other (I dont think either of them are the perfect solution), what got us to this place in the first place ... but given the drama that my race reports have caused at times it seems an irresponsible thing to do.
On to another, lighter discussion. My good friend and teammate Michelle came up with this gem while running this morning - she sent me an email describing her thought process that ended with a nice thought for all of us to take home ... our perceptions of ourselves are never quite accurate, and in reality, we are our worst critics instead of our best cheerleaders. Since we tend to surround ourselves with competitive athletes (and we are, by nature of doing this silly sport, competitive ourselves) we are always striving for perfection - which I agree with Michelle that perfection is nearly impossible to achieve. Despite our own criticisms of ourselves - our weight, our musculature, being slower than we want to be, not having the ability to break the hour on the in the TT ... in reality, just being a part of this sport and being a part of something that is so competitive and demands so much dedication - we are truly much better people - inside and out- than we comprehend.
Despite the fact that the philosophical thought was a bit much before coffee, it was a nice moment to take a deep breath, smile at the accomplishments and goals I have achieved and re-motivate to keep at it ... a good reminder to to do it for the right reasons. Don't do it so that when you look in the mirror you can validate yourself, dont do it because you want to beat so-and-so, don't do it to show up your ex ... Do it for your health, the adrenaline, the rush, the release, the love of the sport, and the love of your body.
Thanks Michelle - it was a much needed moment of pause for me. TGIF.
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