Runfessing: Was It Fate?

Was it Fate?

I have been feeling rather introspective-like as of late, and quite grateful as a result. I can't help but wonder if Fate has been playing around in my world...and maybe (just maybe) helping to make some unfortunate things "right" for me.


I'm gonna runfess a few recent "A-ha" revelations I have experienced and you can tell me what you think. Ready?

First of all, I gotta runfess, that the Quad Cities Marathon certainly has been good to me. Remember, this was my first marathon (September 22, 2013), and it was an epic (near perfect) experience, complete with ideal weather conditions. What is crazy is that every year since has had miserably hot and humid race day temps. I passed on 2014 (because I was running the IMT Des Moines Marathon that year), but I heard the record-high temps had a lot of runners in distress. I returned in 2015 (on a marathon relay team) and also in 2016 (double duty... I ran the half marathon as well as the first leg on a marathon relay team). Both of those years had temps in the upper 80's and high humidity. This year was the 20th year celebration, and all runners received bonus swag (arm warmers and gloves...and I wasn't one of them), but the temps were (again) dangerously warm and humid. Is it possible Fate stepped in and blessed this great event with wonderful weather the one (and only) year that I was running the full marathon?

Pay no attention to the cheesy smile...I had just run my first marathon

Recently, many of us Dam runners were shocked and saddened to learn our beloved Dam to Dam would be ending after next year (June 2, 2018). This was like hearing the tragic news that a dear friend had passed away. Dam to Dam was my first-ever long distance event. It had been a 20K (since its inaugural race, 38 years ago), but in recent years it had changed to a half marathon distance. It was announced for this final Dam running, they are bringing back the 20K distance and proclaiming it  "Forever 39." Although I'm sad, I gotta runfess I'm glad it's going back to not only the original distance, but also the original route that made me love it so much. And registration opens on March 14th...which happens to be my birthday. Coincidence?

I have run this Dam race 10 consecutive years...

.Another favorite race is the Park to Park Half Marathon. I have run this race for the past six years, but due to my unfortunate summer surgery (and necessary recovery there after), I had to miss it this year. It is rumored that this race might be ending as well (the long-time race director  may be relocating), so I was really bummed to not be there for (potentially) the final hurrah. That said, they updated the event's logo this year (which I didn't particularly care for), and the medal was a bit lack-luster in comparison to the ones from previous years. I'll runfess that if there was a year to miss out on the action, this may have been it (though I did sincerely miss the excitement of running those 13.1 miles through George Wyth State Park).

My first Park to Park...September 2012

I need to mention that this summer was certainly not what I would have wished for. Summer is my favorite time of the year, especially for running. Those early pre-dawn miles that end with a beautiful sunrise are total perfection in my book. In August, it felt like our summer came to a crashing halt as the temps plummeted to the 50's (in the early morning hours) and stayed unseasonably cool for the greater part of the month. I gotta runfess that I was elated with the recent warm "summer-like" temps that returned two weeks ago....coincidentally right as my surgeon granted me the green light to return to running! I got to lace up and head out in a beloved tank top and shorts (on several occasions) and experience a brief taste of the summer that I had missed.  I don't know if that was Fate (or a empathetic Momma N) at work, but I don't think it was by accident.

September 16th...my first run after almost three months of recovery

And, last of all, there is the unfortunate timing of this emergency surgery and the impact it had on my day-to-day life. As much as I dreaded missing out on a lot of my usual summer activities (like running and racing), I must runfess the timing actually was pretty ideal. Yes, the winter months (when I'm not running as many races) would not have had as much FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) smacking me in the face. But, I also had bulky bandages on my knee and leg for several weeks (usually with an even bulkier compression sleeve over them)...those would have been a nuisance to squeeze inside my skinny jeans and leggings. Also, the bandages would have been less accessible for constant care and attention had I been in long pants instead of shorts and skirts. And remember Linus, the PICC line? He needed IV infusions three times every day for most of that first month after the surgery....could you imagine the hassle of long sleeves and bulky sweaters layered over him?

Compression....not necessarily a great "layering" alternative

So, what do you think? Even though I'm a glass-half-full kind of person, I do think Fate has intervened at key times in my life.  Have you ever thought about Fate working in your favor?

Since it's the last Friday of the month, I'm linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions....do you have anything to runfess?

I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0. Please join us!!