marathon training

Thank you again everyone for the comments you left on my last blog post and for your emails and messages.  They brighten my day!  

The oddest things have been coming to mind this past while. I can no longer blame that on the strong medications as I have graduated off them. What came to mind this time was how this unwanted journey I am on, in a way, is very similar to my chosen journeys of running marathons just short of two decades ago. The time frame for training to run a marathon was about four months. Four months is the approximate time it will take to be recovered and fully back to ole me again. I am almost two weeks into this journey.  The marathon plan of attack started with short slow distances, gradually increasing speed and kilometres over the four months.  My recovery program is in the initial stages with few minimal exercises. That will soon change.  Since surgery, I have experienced no pain, only uncomfortableness. That’s the same with the marathon training, lots of uncomfortableness yet never an once of pain.  To run a full marathon, you have to be mentally strong. It’s a game of percentages 90% mental, 10% physical. The recovery journey I am on now has required me to dig deep mentally at times and I know it will continue to be that way over the weeks and months to come. I am a marathoner, I ran three marathons! 

When I was marathon training, I had a list of words and phrases that were my mantras. When I needed them, I whispered them. These days there are thoughts and words that occupy my mind at times.  A few of them describe how I felt while I was settled for a couple of hours painting this scene.  

You don’t just go out and run a marathon.  There is much to learn before hand and throughout the entire training program. Even finishing running the 42.2 kms, lessons are learned and also afterwards.  When I got into birding, I knew very little about owls.  When I began seeing them while “out & about”, I wanted to know more.  I did some homework, learned lots and I shared all that in this blog post. Back in January the time was not right for further learning.  Fast forward to now and the time was perfect to take the course called The Wonderful World of Owls. I completed the course and received my Certificate of Completion. When the time is right for being Out & About again and it’s Owl season, I will be using what I learned to enhance my Owl finding and viewing enjoyment. 

I used the last of my discount coupon codes for courses, so will wait for a sale before signing up for my next bird course.

I find it much easier to focus on detail rather than look at the big picture! When I was marathon training, I looked at one week at a time, even though the whole four month program was on paper right before my eyes. Looking too far ahead was too much and would become a blur. That being said, I could see marathon day very clearly.  I played out that day over and over in my mind. It was very vivid!  I could see myself crossing the finishing line with my arms raised in victory.  

During my recent stay at my sister’s home, I spent time in her yard just sitting. Just listening.  Just looking. Just watching.  Just watching the clematis grow.  I swear it grew right before my eyes. I snapped some shots with plans to create a watercolour painting. Well, it felt overwhelming to go straight to painting the final full photo. So, I started with paying attention to a small detailed section.  

then expanded a bit on that

and a little more

It did become blurry at times.

The full final painting is so crisp and clear.

I am taking each day as it comes. I have a some what clear vision of what tomorrow looks like but beyond that is too far to see.  Next week is not clear nor is next month.  But I will tell you, the vision I see of when I am fully recovered and back to ole me, is so very crystal clear! Patience and hard work will get me there!