January 12, 2014

The Grand Slam...Not Just at Denny's Anymore


Why? Why am I doing this? Another year in front of me and I’ve gone and signed up for four hundred mile races. I’ve signed up for the Grand Slam. Western States. Vermont. Leadville. Wasatch. What the *$%@ am I doing this for?

I’m hanging on to something here, but I’m not sure what. An obsession? Sometimes I wonder. Then I find my repose by refusing to believe that I’m the obsessive type...and what loony tune ever would? It all comes down to a grudge match between self-awareness and delusion. Which just means that I’m aware of my own delusions.

I guess it wasn’t very helpful that I told my wife about my Grand Slam ambitions while we were at Denny’s Restaurant, and I was eating the Grand Slam breakfast. Wow, I should have gone lighter on the Tabasco and pepper that day. I can still taste that one.  

It will be hard. It always is. Work is getting more demanding. Or, maybe I’m demanding more of it. There is travel on the horizon. And goals and the vision. My family is and will remain my greatest priority. They are done with the 100-mile family vacations. “It’s just not fun anymore dad,” my oldest daughter said to me recently. What I’m trying to get my arms around now is how to maintain more balance, and to find the time to run without jeopardizing these important things in my life.

I’m learning along the way that, much to my relief, there is no perfect time or balance for life’s priorities. Time is always tight when I’m trying to keep priorities in balance. Family, work, training, in this order, is the balance that I seek. I am very fortunate that I have this triangle to begin with.

These are the days.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jessum crow! Damn man, the Grand Slam! That is awesome and inspiring. Cannot wait to hear how things go. Kick ass!

Becky@Trails and Ultras said...

Respect to you! That's inspirational :)

wcooperjr said...

Thanks folks...got my work cut out for me! I appreciate the support and I can and will use every ounce of it!

Olga said...

Wow, man, you are in for grand slam! Congrats! I guess:) I hear ya on balance, 12 years later, still learning it, and even that mostly because can't run at the moment. But I hear your family's talking, as my family and I are talking as well...The opportunity is awesome, go after it, give back a lot - to the family and work this year, to the community...well, may be next year:) p.s. that was for last post as well.

Will Cooper said...

Olga, a friend recently said, it just organized chaos. without it we all would be bored! Keep it real.

Unknown said...

Epic pancake!

Unknown said...

I am with you, and by that not with you on 4 100 mile races! Wow, when I start to feel good about my training I can come here to bring me back down..haha. Seriously, the balance thing with family, work and all the other family related things like being a boy scout leader, baseball coach, and just trying to be a father and husband that is "there" is hard. I end up running at times that are not ideal, like very late at night. Also, I my first 50 was sold to the wife as a weekend get away in the mountains...one day I will just being on a long "running" hike...with other people while she waits for me..

Will Cooper said...

Matt, it tasted even better than it looks. JK, balance is the key to the kingdom in our sport, but unfortunately they keep changing the lock. As I've said before, sometimes life just gets in the way and it is up to us to deal with it. Thanks for your comments!!

Jill said...

Hell yeah!!!!!