Friday, October 12, 2007

Life Changes Quickly...

Wow, another super busy week in the books.

I had my second round of tests all last week in school and felt really good about my grades. Things are going somewhat smooth in the school department. Work was again another week of teaching a class for our Desktop support and Store tech support teams. I had some good folks that caught on quickly and did really well which makes the week go by much faster. Next week I need to get caught up on my administrative responsibilities which will take some time.

Well, I have some news that I would like to share. Over the last several weeks I've had to battle a very difficult decision. It is with great frustration and sadness that I've decided to drop out of my marathon. As I said a very difficult decision. Between family, work, running, and a full time school work load it has been too much. I've had a goal to run in a marathon for a very long time and to be this close and have to walk away is very agonizing. Family, work, and school is a much higher priority, in that order. Finding the time for the increased mileage along with my daily responsibilities was a real challenge. For me, as I've said before, I will not sacrifice time with my family which is far more important then getting in any long run. To be honest, it was somewhat of a relief when I finally decided. Not because I didn't want to do it but because I can now concentrate on more important things. See, the quest and journey will continue. I will be registering for the Richmond marathon in 2008. I know other marathons are sooner but I want to run my first in the town I grew up in, Richmond.

I haven't stopped running, that will continue. I haven't stopped strength training, that will continue. I haven't stopped my nutrition, that will continue. I haven't lost my passion for fitness I've only delayed one goal for one more year. For those who have been so encouraging I thank you. I know I would not have made it this far without it. I will continue to document my journey to 26.2 here until the mission is accomplished. I know without a doubt that I've made the correct decision and I'm at peace about it.

So, onward and upward I go pushing towards my dreams and goals one day at a time. There's a large pot of gold somewhere at the end of my rainbow and with my determination and passion I will succeed in its discovery...ya know...I think I've already discovered mine...

These are the most important things, this is my pot of gold. - Jason

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like the right decision to me. With the very busy schedule, it was likely that even if you did find a way to get the mileage in, you wouldn't be able to recover properly and would either get injured or perform poorly.

You'll get there...there is absolutely no doubt in my mind you will get there.

J~Mom said...

You did the right thing for right now! You are not giving up on that dream just extending it out a bit. Your daughter will only be this age once and you need to enjoy her and your wife. We will still be here cheering for you!

Darrell said...

You've got to take what life's throwing your way at the time. Your commitments to your faith and your family run way stronger than any marathon. Keep loving that family, keep learning and keeping making progress with your fitness goals and you'll be crossing the finish line at Richmond before you know it.

David H. said...

sorry to hear you won't be running the marathon, which is hitting record numbers, but it sounds like a good choice for many reasons. I look forward to continuing to read about your journey.

Wes said...

A classic example of focusing on what's important, putting first things first, and knowing there will always be more races. Wise, wise, man :-)

Great pics too :-)

Ashli said...

wThere is no doubt in my mind that this is the right thing to do. For yourself and for our family.

I would much rather see you focus on school and give it 100%. Then take on the next goal and give IT 100%. You owe it to your goals and yourself. It takes more of a man to admit when he can't do it all then it does to half ass something just to say you did it.

Gracie and I are so very proud of you!

Mir said...

Good for you for making that decision. I probably wouldn't have been able to. :) But you definitely want your first marathon to be one that you are well-prepared for, with no reservations, and it's worth it to wait. I know you will realize your dream when you are ready!

streak said...

I think you made the best decision and hopefully you aren't feeling bad about it. I am right there with you on family being the most important thing in our life! You can run a marathon and we both will some day. These are the best and most important days of our kids and families life, don't want to miss it for the world. Have a good week!

Neese said...

:)

Scott McMurtrey said...

we'll be cheering you on whichever direction you decide to go.

Ms Eva said...

Sounds like you made a difficult decision and yet found the right solution for you and your family. No worries. We'll all still be here to cheer you on for 2008. :)

Dave said...

Tough decision, but sounds like the right one, besides the marathon will be there next year. Best of luck!

Michelle said...

You know what? There will be other marathons. I know the decision was a hard one, but you know what you have to do.

I made the same decision earlier this year regarding my HM (which would have been this weekend), but we have the opportunity to go on vacation when we haven't had a family vacation in forever, so I chose that.

No regrets!

sunshine said...

It is such a hard decision, but it sounds like you made the right one. I feel that running marathons is only worth it if your heart is completely in it. So, props to you for doing the right thing. It was hard for me not to be in the Detroit Marathon yesterday, but I realized that it just wasn't right for me this year.

yay for Richmond 2008! :)

Mendy said...

You know, after our conversations that I agree with your decision. You've got to want it bad enough to take on the training, and the Marathon itself. I think it was smart, Jason. I know you are really busy these days.

Thanks for trying to get me that class too. Let me know if you need anything at all, so I can get in one of them. Really looking forward to it.

Thai tomorrow! Yum-O.

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

You have your priorities straight and in the proper order...way to go Jason....are you so the "man"..the gentleman...your family will appreciate you even more than they already do...the marathon will happen...you have to much dedication to the effort...so what if it is postponed...it will just make the race that much more enjoyable when it does happen...good luck with your life...keep blogging too...your words are inspiring...

Unknown said...

The Running Man is also The Thinking Man (and The Realistic Man!). Good luck with your schedule and keep on training for the next race - it'll be there.