15 miles and a mission…

I ran my 15 mile training run today…Sally, her 19. We did out last 12 together along with DAWG. It was a battle, especially toward the end. As Sally mentioned earlier, a co-worker of mine and our friend, joined us for the last leg of the run. It was a great benefit to both of us. This was my longest run ever to date. And having Sally there helped a great deal. But we were both tired and had little–in my view–to contribute to the other’s run toward the end. The infusion of energy for the last bit was great and helped to pull us through. I don’t know how anyone does this alone. They’re a special kind of person, in my opinion. (For the uninitiated this applies to Toots & Sally.)

During the run I kept having memories of someone from my childhood running though my mind—this has sent me on a mission.

Obi-wan-Dad had a friend while I was growing up. I don’t remember a lot about him, other than the following: he was cool; he was a marathoner; he was deaf (or hearing impaired); and we went ice fishing once. So my toughts drifted toward thinking about this friend of Obi-wan-Dad’s. I’m going to refer to him as Yoda JoeJer. Because he, in terms of this blog, training, and the marathon was a Master. I’ve been reminded of him on several of my runs so far, but have been waiting for the moment to write about Yoda JoeJer. Today, as we rounded the north side of one of the city lakes I saw a man and a child ice fishing. This was a moment that made me connect with Yoda JoeJer. We shared a similar moment in the past. Yes, this is a picture of Yoda JoeJer and a young Lumpy. Ice fishing, of course. And I didn’t even live in Minnesota at the time. He ran a marathon–at least one that I know of. And the story goes that when he hit his wall, he was able to hear the crowd–despite his hearing impairment. It is a good story and I think of him often when I’m out on a long run. I’ve been thinking of him more as I get closer to the final finish line of my first marathon. I remember him as a good soul. And now, I’m on a mission to find him. My initial search oddly shows that we lived very close to each other for several year while I was in grad school. Totally unbeknowst. Well, perhaps I’ll have a chance to say hello and he can watch along–and maybe join the discussion–of our trek to the Paris Marathon–my first.

I have my own personal Marathon Master at hand now. That would be Master Sally. She’s my mentor in this marathon and who I’m running this for. No, not because I feel some sort of obligation. I’m runing this becuase I want us to be able to share this experience. Sally’s The One in marathon terms for this novice Lumpy. Yoda JoeJer is inspiration. Sally is my goal. The finish line is a means to that goal.

I love you all.