A New Beginning

I am now making it official. I am bowing out of Boston. I am simply unable to risk missing the birth of my first child to travel.

Actually, it's one of the best reasons in the world that I can imagine to miss heading to Boston. Can anyone think of a better reason? I think not.

I look forward to the time when I will tell the story to my daughter on how I was trained up for a sub-3 and how I sacrificed it all for her. OK, so that's slightly a stretch, but I am thinking 3:05 at least, right?

Jen is experiencing the occasional mild contraction and, as of this evening, is 2cm dialated. This means she could go tonight... or three weeks from now. It's like the weather, I guess.

I cannot put into words how wonderful my life is right now. I have a awesome wife, a wonderful home, a great career that intellectually challenges me and pays the bills - and my running which ties it all together for me. Now, enter our little beautiful miracle, which makes life even that much more unimaginably, undeservedly charmed.

Sure, it would have been nice to go to Boston and then have the baby. But that's OK. There is always next year. On the bright side, I look forward to bringing my little angel to Hopkinton next year to cheer me on at the start and greet me with special daddy kisses at the finish downtown.

For now, I will plan to run this 10k on Saturday in Aurora, IL -- assuming we do not head to the hospital by then. I will also adjust my training toward the Green Bay Marathon on May 18th.

I read the first couple chapters of The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life last night. Amby Burfoot talks about the beauty of new beginnings as one of the wonderful gifts that running offers to us.

He's spot on. That starting line is new every single day, and some are more significant than others. This is one my very significant, new beginnings. I am so proud and fortunate to be at this place.

And I am still planning to run that sub-3 at St. George in October, with my parents, wife and baby girl rooting me on. Sweet.