Changes—31 Days Until Media Mile, 59 Days Until Princeton First Aid 5K, and 269 Days Until Twin Lights Half

I recommend biting off more than you can chew to anyone/I certainly do/I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth any time/Feel free—Alanis Morrissette

Over the last few days, I’ve talked with two friends about some of my concerns about the Dopey Challenge. Our conversations began with me sort of challenging them to tell me why I should run the Dopey Challenge rather than half marathons in places that I love, such as, for example, Berlin. Paris. Cape Ann.

Both of my friends told me that I should not do Dopey. They had a lot of good reasons that had nothing to do with my not being able to do it. Instead, they offered basic wisdom about Disney issues, distance issues, among other things. So, today, while a co-worker/friend and I sat together watching Noah Lyles, I decided to change my goal. I feel a little disappointed and a little sad and a little embarrassed, but I know it’s the right thing to do.

Still love this. Still inspires me.

I was reluctant to give up my Dopey dream (get it? dopey dream?) because I don’t want to give up running even though it’s very clear that I’m not meant to run 26.2 miles. I’m also not meant to do other things, such as clean houses, do math, or understand radio waves. On the other hand, I am meant to have a peaceful home, make do on a single and lowly salary, and host radio shows. In other words, dreams can have variations and part of reaching your goal is to figure out the right goal.

You shouldn’t judge a fish for not being able to fly and you shouldn’t judge a bird for not being able to swim. Yes, I know: ducks, penguins, swim, fly, you still get my drift.

Fish gotta swim birds gotta fly

I feel happy about my new goals, but the happiness sits, right now, under the resignation. I’ve never wanted to run a marathon, but I did want to do the Dopey Challenge, which is sort of like never wanting to sing or write music, but still wanting to put out an album of original songs. Illogical.

Aside from the three races I’m already scheduled to do this year, I have a lot of other things I’m excited about (writing, my job, book groups), not to mention that since I’m no longer focused on distance, I can focus on speed. Maybe I can move up from Slow AF to just Slow. 🐢