Sunday, March 17, 2013

St. Patrick's Day Run and the Graces of the Old Gods and the New

A great St. Patricks day run this morning.   My legs felt a bit lively after some rest, the sun was shining bright on some freshly fallen snow, and I ran by two Irish bars which hadn't yet overflowed onto the sidewalk as they certainly will later on today.

I especially love to run on days when years ago I used to be stupid and miserably drunk.  Makes me feel more alive by contrast. St. Patrick's Day is a great running and racing day, and many folks will enjoy plenty of post-running, well deserved beers. I would certainly love to be one of them, but I just can't do that. It's one of the many things I can't do and have had to learn to accept. Also on that list are: I can't train for 3 marathons in 15 months without suffering consequences (I'm just not one of those guys), I can't be as cool as Ironman, I can't fly like superman, and I can't use tools like most any man. And I can't stop drinking after one beer.

Fortunately, I've escaped a relapse for 20 years. But if the day ever comes, who knows what would happen. You will probably see a drunken Irishmen running naked through the streets, and then a dark black eruption of misery for many years to come, neither of which will be pleasant to witness. But by the graces of "the old Gods and the new," I"m able to run sober today.

5 comments:

Anne said...

I used to run the New Bedford Half Marathon in MA on St. Paddy's Day. Instead of "Way to go!" from spectactors, we got a lot of "What the f*ck" from drunks spilling out of the bars at 11 a.m. So I certainly can appreciate the contrast between Mark then and now.

Char said...

One of my sons can't stop at one drink either. Combine that with clinical depression and you have a pretty toxic mix. But this year he's decided to get his life under control and has stopped drinking. He's such a different, happier person. Congratulations on your 20 years. That's a great achievement.

Char said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzy said...

My dad has a saying and it goes like this, "I'm addicted to anything they make more than one of." He's been sober for over 20 years as well, and his sobriety is the greatest gift he could ever give me. Congratulations on your run today, Mark!

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