The 2nd half

My older sister (much older!) is turning 40. This morning (Saturday) I didn't set my alarm but I woke up at 3:50am in a panic that I was late for work. I bolted to the gym b/c the NJ coastline is getting hammered by torrential rains and flooding. I decided to make today my long run of 10 miles, which would be double my longest run this week (gotta build up distance slowly). At the point in a race, or a training run, or a long bike ride when you reach the 1/2 way point - it's somewhat uplifting. You know that you are no longer heading away from home anymore, you are heading home. And that changes things. You don't feel as much need to hold back, to save a little something for later. And with my sister reaching midlife I reflected during my run. On the way out in life you start oblivious as a baby, first aware of others, later aware of yourself. You make friends, school sucks, life is giant vacation but you're too broke to do anything, all you want is to be a teenager. As a teenager you get in lots of trouble, test your boundaries, then test other's boundaries. Still broke though, sure would be nice to have some money to do stuff. Then in your 20's you're working, starting your career, you can do anything, smarter than everyone, gonna be real successful and own the world. In your 30's you realize it's not always how smart you are but more about the powers that be believing in you and opening doors for you, to give you that chance. Finally making some coin, but now money isn't everything, there must be something more. You realize 9 out of 10 people will let you down, best not rely on anyone but yourself. For some these are the family years, I can't speak to that. And then you hit the turnaround point - the big 40 - that aid station way out on the backside of the course. You make the corner and hope for a tailwind, because the headwind on the way here sure was brutal.

I don't know what to expect on the way back but I'm sure it'll be fun. At least Lesley doesn't need to hold back, saving that extra something for the return trip. Let it rip! Put the hammer down! Go like hell! I hope you catch that tailwind, but if life is anything like training rides you can almost be guaranteed a headwind in both directions.